The Ongoing Challenge of Managing Carbon Monoxide Pollution in Fairbanks, Alaska Interim Report (2002) / Chapter Skim
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set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for CO in ~97~.~ When the concentration of CO in ambient air exceeds health standards, it is due mainly to incomplete combustion of gasoline by light-duty vehicles, such as passenger cars end pickup trucks.
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The atmospheric inversions and low windspeeds that commonly occur during winter are extremely effective in trapping the products of incomplete combustion, including CO, that are emitted at ground level. The Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC)
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In the absence of such data, the committee reviewed relevant clinical and epidemiological studies presented in the scientific literature and considered by EPA in assessing the health impact of exposure to ambient CO at concentrations and durations exceeding the NAAQS. In addition, the technical feasibility and potential for emissions reductions of a number of air quality management options are discussed in the body of this report.
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Despite those efforts, Fairbanks will continue to be susceptible to violating the 8-h CO health standard on some occasions for many years to come because of its unfavorable meteorological and topographical conditions. Those adverse natural conditions might be compounded by future increases in the population of Fairbanks brought about by large pipeline or military construction projects.
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Epidemiological studies at various locations have confirmed that ambient CO concentrations similar to those observed in Fairbanks are associated with increased hospital admissions and increased mortality. For example, one epidemiological study of elderly patients in eight United States counties reported that daily variations in ambient CO concentrations had a statistically significant impact on daily cardiovascular hospital admissions.
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For these reasons, human exposure to high concentrations of CO is likely during episode conditions in Fairbanks, although insufficient exposure data are available to verify this statement. Recommendations Additional efforts should be made to monitor personal exposures to CO in buildings and garages near high-CO areas, outside in residential locations, and in motor vehicles.
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In addition, air quality modeling should be developed, conducted, and evaluated for the extreme conditions found in Fairbanks in winter. :I/M Programs in the Fairbanks North Star Borough The vehicle emissions inspection and maintenance (UM)
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The issues deemed most important by the committee are inspection frequency, exemptions, testing improvements, remote sensing, and continuing program evaluation. Frequency and Exemptions Findings The 1997 change in the borough's I/M program from annual to biennial inspections lacked technical justification and has resulted in an increase in the rate of vehicles failing inspection.
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Recommendations The borough should comprehensively assess emissions-testing methods to determine appropriate inspection procedures for various vehicle technologies. This assessment should consider the use of annual two-speed idle tests forpre-1982 vehicles end biennia!
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The evaluation should allow the direct comparison ofthe emissions reductions achieved by the program with those estimated in the
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Engine preheating can substantially reduce CO emissions during the cold-start phase of engine operations, as well as warming the rider compartment more quickly. The borough is now mandating that parking lots of major employers be equipped with electrical outlets for preheating and is conducting mass-media campaigns to encourage the use of plug-ins during winter.
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Fuel Sulfur Content Findings Modern vehicles are equipped with three-way catalytic converters that reduce emissions of organic compounds (including unburned fuel and air tonics) , CO, and nitrogen oxides from the engine.
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There is a reluctance to introduce other oxygenated fuels, such as gasoline containing 10% ethanol, even though such fuels are mandated for Anchorage and estimated by the state to yield the greatest emissions reductions there. Recommendations Alaska, EPA, and others should conduct additional research and vehicle testing to assess the effectiveness of ethanol in gasoline for decreasing CO and air-toxics emissions during cold starts and operation at ambient temperatures below 20°F (-6.7°C)
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Improving Ambient Monitoring in the Borough Findings Ambient air monitoring data are available to characterize Tong-term CO trends over a limited area in the city of Fairbanks but are inadequate to understand the temporal trends across the entire city and at different heights above the ground. Such data are needed to quantify source contributions to human exposure and to evaluate air quality models.
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A variety of modeling techniques have been used in other areas to plan strategies for controlling ambient CO, but the extreme conditions in Fairbanks limit the applicability of many of those techniques. in developing Fairbanks's most recent state implementation plan (SIP)
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Despite this improvement, it is likely that, under severe inversion conditions, Fairbanks will again exceed the 8-h CO standard, particularly if the area experiences significant growth due to pipeline or military construction. To further improve air quality in Fairbanks, the borough should continue to use, and possibly expand, effective current control strategies.
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Fairbanks constitutes a natural laboratory for understanding influences of meteorology and topography on air quality in regard to CO and for understanding the effectiveness of emissions-conkol technologies at low temperatures.
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