What this article is, it's the Pinal County Air Quality Summit 2008 EPA Region 9's Perspective dated November 7, 2008. Where it talks about Particulate Matter and what it is and how it affects human health. Large particles of PM10 deposit in the upper respiratory tract and smaller particles of PM10 penetrate deep into the lungs. You will also read that many scientific studies have linked breathing particle pollution to a series of significant health problems such as:
- Aggravated Asthma
- Increases in respiratory symptoms like coughing and difficult or painful breathing
- Chronic Bronchitis
- Decreased Lung Funtion
- Premature death in people with heart or lung disease
On page 6 it's about the EPA Region 9's Perspective on Pinal County's PM-10 Status Pinal county has violated the PM10 standard since 2002:
- In 2002, two violating monitors
- In 2008, seven violating monitors
- Cowtown monitor is the worst
On page 9 there is a chart that shows PM10 Violations in Pinal County, Arizona and the expected number of days per year exceeding the 24-hour standard. Worst PM10 Air Quality sites in the USA 2005-2007. Pinal Co. - Cowtown is top of the list with 222.2 expected exceedance days.
Ok here is the conclusion from the report:
- Region 9 is planning to redesignate Pinal County to a nonattainment for PM10
- The area has been violating since 2002, so citizens are breathing unheathy air
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