Air Quality 101

What Air Pollutants in the Baltimore Region Does Traffic Contribute to?
Traffic from vehicles (cars, trucks, etc.) in the Baltimore region contributes to fine particulate matter (fine soot) and ground-level ozone, as well as other pollutants. Ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter are a major concern because the region is not reaching federal standards for these pollutants.

How is Ground-Level Ozone Formed?
Ground-level ozone is formed by the combination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NO_X) and sunlight. VOCs come from gasoline, paint, solvents, pesticides and charcoal lighter fluid. They are also formed naturally. NO_X comes from cars, trucks, and buses, as well as power plants, and coal-burning stoves.

VOCs + NO_X + Sunlight = Ozone

How is Particulate Matter Formed?
Particulate matter is formed both directly and indirectly. It is formed directly by motor vehicles exhaust, fires, power plants, construction dust, and unpaved roads.

Source: www.epa.gov

Particulate matter is formed indirectly when products of fuel combustion, sunlight, and water vapor react with each other to create particles.

Source: www.epa.gov

For more information contact:
Sara Tomlinson, stomlinson@baltometro.org or 410-732-0500 x1035.

Links within this web site: 

Fine Particulate Matter Conformity

What is Transportation Conformity?

Ozone

Particulate Matter

Links to other web sites:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Last Updated on Tuesday, 06 December 2011 12:04