Why Is Spokane Air Quality So Bad?
Spokane’s air quality frequently struggles to meet federal standards, particularly during specific times of the year, due primarily to a confluence of factors including geographic location, seasonal weather patterns, and the pervasive impact of particulate matter from wood burning. This unfortunate reality is exacerbated by increasing wildfire smoke and the lasting effects of industrial activity, creating a complex challenge for the region.
The Perfect Storm: Factors Contributing to Poor Air Quality
Spokane’s poor air quality isn’t attributable to just one source; it’s a multifaceted problem rooted in several key contributors:
Topography and Weather Inversions
Spokane sits in a valley, a geographic feature that traps air pollutants. During the fall and winter months, temperature inversions are common. This occurs when a layer of warm air settles over a layer of cold air near the ground. The warm air acts as a lid, preventing the cooler, denser air below – laden with pollutants – from rising and dispersing. This phenomenon can trap pollutants close to the ground for days, drastically impacting air quality.
Wood Burning: A Local Tradition With A Heavy Price
Wood stoves and fireplaces are prevalent in many Spokane homes, particularly in older neighborhoods. While providing a supplementary heat source and contributing to a certain ambiance, wood burning is a significant source of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). These microscopic particles, smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, posing a serious health risk, especially for vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
Wildfire Smoke: An Increasingly Pressing Threat
The increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires in the western United States pose a growing threat to Spokane’s air quality. Summer and early fall often bring days, sometimes weeks, of thick smoke drifting from distant fires, blanketing the region in haze and dramatically increasing PM2.5 levels. The long-range transport of smoke can affect areas hundreds or even thousands of miles from the source.
Transportation Emissions
While perhaps less dramatic than wood burning or wildfires, vehicle emissions contribute significantly to air pollution in Spokane, particularly nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can react in sunlight to form ozone, a harmful component of smog. Areas with high traffic density experience the greatest impact.
Historical Industrial Activity
Spokane has a history of industrial activity, and although efforts have been made to mitigate its environmental impact, residual pollution from past operations can still contribute to air quality issues. This may include heavy metals and other persistent pollutants that linger in the soil and air.
FAQs: Understanding Spokane’s Air Quality Issues
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you better understand the situation:
FAQ 1: What is PM2.5 and why is it so concerning?
PM2.5 refers to particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less. These tiny particles are easily inhaled and can bypass the body’s natural defenses, penetrating deep into the lungs and even entering the bloodstream. They have been linked to a range of health problems, including respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular disease, and even premature death. The smaller the particle, the more harmful it is.
FAQ 2: How does temperature inversion specifically impact Spokane?
As mentioned earlier, temperature inversions create a “lid” over the Spokane valley, trapping pollutants near the ground. This occurs because the normal atmospheric temperature gradient is reversed: instead of temperature decreasing with altitude, it increases. The warm air layer prevents the cooler, pollutant-filled air below from rising and dispersing, leading to a build-up of harmful contaminants.
FAQ 3: Are there regulations in place to control wood burning?
Yes, Spokane County and the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency (SRCAA) have regulations in place to control wood burning, particularly during periods of poor air quality. These regulations often involve burn bans, which prohibit the use of wood stoves and fireplaces when air quality reaches unhealthy levels. SRCAA also promotes education and incentive programs to encourage the transition to cleaner heating alternatives.
FAQ 4: What is the role of the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency (SRCAA)?
The SRCAA is the primary agency responsible for monitoring and managing air quality in Spokane County. Their role includes monitoring air pollution levels, enforcing air quality regulations, issuing burn bans, educating the public about air quality issues, and working with businesses and individuals to reduce emissions. They are a critical resource for information and advocacy regarding air quality concerns.
FAQ 5: How can I find out about the current air quality in Spokane?
You can find real-time air quality information through several sources, including the SRCAA website (www.spokanecleanair.org), the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) AirNow website (www.airnow.gov), and various weather apps and websites that provide air quality indices. These sources typically display the Air Quality Index (AQI), which provides a color-coded scale indicating the level of air pollution and its potential health impacts.
FAQ 6: What can I do to protect myself during periods of poor air quality?
During periods of poor air quality, it’s crucial to take steps to protect your health. This includes staying indoors as much as possible, closing windows and doors, using an air purifier with a HEPA filter, avoiding strenuous outdoor activities, and monitoring your health for symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, or chest pain. Individuals with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions should be particularly cautious.
FAQ 7: What is being done to address Spokane’s air quality problems?
The SRCAA and other organizations are implementing various strategies to improve air quality, including promoting cleaner heating options, enforcing air quality regulations, reducing vehicle emissions, and working with industry to minimize pollution. Educational campaigns are also underway to raise public awareness about the sources of air pollution and the steps individuals can take to reduce their impact.
FAQ 8: Are there financial incentives to switch from wood stoves to cleaner heating methods?
Yes, the SRCAA often offers financial incentives and rebates to homeowners who replace old, inefficient wood stoves with cleaner heating alternatives such as natural gas furnaces, heat pumps, or EPA-certified wood stoves. These incentives are designed to encourage the adoption of cleaner heating technologies and reduce emissions.
FAQ 9: How does Spokane’s air quality compare to other cities in Washington State?
Spokane’s air quality is generally worse than cities located on the west side of the state, particularly those near the coast, due to the factors described above. However, compared to other inland cities in the Pacific Northwest that experience similar geographic and climatic conditions, Spokane faces comparable challenges. Overall, it’s considered below average for a city of its size in terms of air quality, especially during winter months.
FAQ 10: How do wildfires impact the long-term air quality in Spokane?
While the immediate impact of wildfire smoke is obvious (increased PM2.5 levels), the long-term effects are still being studied. Repeated exposure to wildfire smoke can exacerbate existing respiratory conditions and potentially increase the risk of developing new respiratory problems. Moreover, the particles deposited by wildfire smoke can contribute to soil and water contamination, further impacting environmental health.
FAQ 11: Are there specific neighborhoods in Spokane that are more affected by poor air quality than others?
Yes, neighborhoods located in low-lying areas or near major roadways tend to experience poorer air quality than neighborhoods located on higher ground or farther from traffic sources. This is due to the tendency of pollutants to accumulate in valleys and areas with limited air circulation. Lower-income neighborhoods also tend to be disproportionately impacted due to higher density housing that relies more heavily on wood-burning stoves as a primary heating source.
FAQ 12: What can I do to advocate for cleaner air in Spokane?
You can advocate for cleaner air by contacting your elected officials, supporting organizations that are working to improve air quality, participating in community meetings, and making informed choices about your transportation, heating, and energy consumption habits. Raising awareness about air quality issues and demanding action from policymakers are crucial steps towards achieving cleaner air for Spokane. Supporting and demanding stricter enforcement of existing regulations and advocating for new policies that promote clean energy alternatives are also vital.