Reno violates EPA air standards

Brian Jennison, director of the county Air Quality Management Division, blamed the Jan. 6 and 7 violations on road sand left from a late December storm.

Air samples taken at two Reno-area monitoring stations showed particulate levels of 202 and 185, well above the unhealthy standard of 150 micrograms per cubic meter established by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The county is allowed to violate federal standards for particulates only once every three years without running the risk of EPA sanctions, which include the loss of federal highway funds.

Particulates are tiny specks of mostly sand, dirt and soot that can pose a health risk. Sand is used to make roads safer after storms, but vehicles later pulverize the sand and send small pieces into the air.

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