A Newsletter about Clean Air. Provided by Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency. Fall Winter 2015 Wind Damage Repairs, Asbestos Precautions T housands of area homeowners are dealing with home repairs caused by last November’s windstorm. It's important to take precautions to avoid potential asbestos exposure during repairs. "Whether doing the work yourself, or hiring a professional, it's important to take precautions to reduce asbestos exposure during home repair projects. Resources are available on our web- site. When repairing attics, be certain to first check for vermiculite insula- tion," according to Lori Rodriguez, Compliance Section Manager for Spokane Clean Air. Vermiculite is a silver-gold to gray- brown mineral that has the unusual property of expanding into worm-like, accordian-shaped pieces when heated. The expanded vermiculite is a light- weight, fire-resistant, absorbent, and odorless material. These properties allow vermiculite to be used to make numerous products, including insula- tion. Vermiculite attic insulation is a pebble-like product and is usually light brown or gold in color. Vermiculite itself has not been shown to be a health problem. However, some vermiculite insulation contained asbestos fibers. As long as this kind of vermiculite-based insulation remains undisturbed behind intact walls or in unoccupied attic spaces and does not become airborne, it should not be a concern. Of particular concern is Zonolite® At- tic Insulation which was vermiculite extracted from the Libby Mine in Montana which closed in 1990. The Libby Mine contained a large natural deposit of asbestos which resulted in the vermiculite being contaminated with asbestos. If you believe that your home may contain vermiculite insulation, it is reasonable to assume that it may be contaminated with asbestos. Breathing in microscopic asbestos fi- bers has been associated with diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Asbestos-containing ma- terials are not a health concern if left intact (not disturbed or damaged.) What should I do if I have vermiculite insulation? Do not disturb it. Any disturbance has the potential to release asbestos fibers into the air. Following are recom- mendations if you have vermiculite insulation: u Leave vermiculite insulation un- disturbed in your attic. Spokane Clean Air requires that all loose vermiculite be treated as asbestos- containing material. u Do not store boxes or other items in your attic if retrieving them will disturb the insulation. u If you plan to remodel or conduct renovations, hire professionals trained and certified to safely handle, remove and dispose of asbestos containing materials. It is possible that vermiculite attic insulation can sift through cracks in the ceiling, around light fixtures, or around ceiling fans. You can prevent this by sealing the cracks and holes that insulation could pass through. Additional resources: www.spokanecleanair.org/asbestos and www.epa.gov/asbestos Spokane Clean Air issued an Order Declaring Emergency that waives select asbestos notification fees and waiting periods for Notices of Intent through March 31, 2016. Call us for further information: 477-4727.
Transcript
A Newsletter aboutClean Air. Providedby Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency.
Fall Winter2015
Wind Damage Repairs, Asbestos Precautions
Thousands of area homeowners are dealing with home repairs caused by last November’s
windstorm. It's important to take precautions to avoid potential asbestos exposure during repairs.
"Whether doing the work yourself, or hiring a professional, it's important to take precautions to reduce asbestos exposure during home repair projects. Resources are available on our web-site. When repairing attics, be certain to first check for vermiculite insula-tion," according to Lori Rodriguez, Compliance Section Manager for Spokane Clean Air.
Vermiculite is a silver-gold to gray-brown mineral that has the unusual property of expanding into worm-like, accordian-shaped pieces when heated. The expanded vermiculite is a light-weight, fire-resistant, absorbent, and odorless material. These properties allow vermiculite to be used to make numerous products, including insula-tion. Vermiculite attic insulation is a
pebble-like product and is usually light brown or gold in color.
Vermiculite itself has not been shown to be a health problem. However, some vermiculite insulation contained asbestos fibers. As long as this kind of vermiculite-based insulation remains undisturbed behind intact walls or in unoccupied attic spaces and does not become airborne, it should not be a concern.
Of particular concern is Zonolite® At-tic Insulation which was vermiculite extracted from the Libby Mine in Montana which closed in 1990. The Libby Mine contained a large natural deposit of asbestos which resulted in the vermiculite being contaminated with asbestos.
If you believe that your home may contain vermiculite insulation, it is reasonable to assume that it may be contaminated with asbestos.
Breathing in microscopic asbestos fi-bers has been associated with diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Asbestos-containing ma-terials are not a health concern if left intact (not disturbed or damaged.)
What should I do if I have vermiculite insulation?
Do not disturb it. Any disturbance has the potential to release asbestos fibers into the air. Following are recom-mendations if you have vermiculite insulation:
u Leave vermiculite insulation un-disturbed in your attic. Spokane Clean Air requires that all loose vermiculite be treated as asbestos-containing material.
u Do not store boxes or other items in your attic if retrieving them will disturb the insulation.
u If you plan to remodel or conduct renovations, hire professionals trained and certified to safely handle, remove and dispose of asbestos containing materials.
It is possible that vermiculite attic insulation can sift through cracks in the ceiling, around light fixtures, or around ceiling fans. You can prevent this by sealing the cracks and holes that insulation could pass through. Additional resources: www.spokanecleanair.org/asbestos and www.epa.gov/asbestos
Spokane Clean Air issued an Order Declaring Emergency that waives select asbestos notification fees and waiting periods for Notices of Intent through March 31, 2016. Call us for further information: 477-4727.
ON THE AIR Fall-Winter 2015
Heat with wood? Tips to save money & stay warm
old wood stove?HEAT with an
Tired of your old wood stove? If you’ve been thinking about replacing it, now is a great time! Spokane Clean Air has again secured grant funding from the Washington State Department of Ecology to provide
incentives to homeowners interested in replacing their wood burning devices with new wood, pellet, gas or ductless heat pumps.
“Instant rebates” are $500 for a new wood heating stove or fireplace insert, $700 for pellet, and $1,000 for either gas devices or ductless heat pumps.
Minimum criteria to qualify:
� Be the owner of a home located within the boundaries of the Spokane County Smoke Control Zone (map online: spokanecleanair.org); and
� Have an installed and operational wood stove (freestanding or insert) that is either non-EPA certified or manufactured prior to 1995; and
� Currently use the device on a regular basis for primary or secondary home heating.
To apply, submit an application with a photo of your currently installed device, to Spokane Clean Air. If you qualify, you’ll receive a discount voucher and a list of participating dealers where you can redeem the vouch-er toward the purchase and installation of your new device.
Benefits
� Save money on heating -new wood devices use about 1/3 less wood than old devices
� Protect your family’s health - new devices are cleaner burning
� Reduce dust and soot in your home
Old wood stoves are inefficient and produce a lot of smoke—both indoors and outdoors. New devices heat much cleaner and much more efficiently. Other benefits to up-grading include:
Save $500-$1,000 to upgrade!
How you heat with wood can save
you money and im-prove air quality in your home and out-doors. Here are some tips to make your fire burn hotter, keep your
wallet fatter and keep the air safer to breathe.
Split and dry firewood. Firewood should be split, stacked and loosely covered for at least 9-12 months prior to burning. Dry wood burns hotter, cuts fuel consumption and reduces the amount of smoke produced. A sign of
dry wood is to knock two pieces to-gether—you should hear a solid, loud
“crack” sound, not a low “thud.”
Choose the right firewood. Hard-woods are best. Manufactured logs and pellets are good too. Never burn trash or treated wood which can emit toxic air pollutants.
Never smolder. A smoldering fire does little for heat and creates excess smoke. After 20 minutes of starting your fire, go outside and look at your chimney. Very little, if any, smoke should be visible. Excessive smoke can result in enforcement action.
Clean ashes. Excess ashes can clog the air intake vents reducing efficiency. Be sure to dispose of ashes in a metal container away from the house or any flammable material to reduce to the risk of fire.
Heating area. Choose the right sized appliance for your needs. If your device is too big for your heating area, the fuel will smolder at low loads and create more pollution.
More information, including photos depicting different chimney smoke levels and limits is at SpokaneCleanAir.org/wood-heating.
Anyone who was in the Spokane-area last August doesn’t
need a reminder about the poor air quality. But, in case you are wondering just how bad air pollution levels were, here is a chart that displays the daily Air Quality Index (AQI) for the month of Au-gust 2015.
Fine particle pollution reached unhealthy levels on five days and unhealthy for sensitive groups on eight days.
During August, school coaches and private sport-ing event coordinators either cancelled or postponed ac-tivities as health precautions. Spokane Clean Air, along with our partner agency, Spokane Regional Health District received several re-quests from school coaches, outdoor recreational facility operators and sporting event directors for guidance on activity level during periods of poor air quality.
The agencies collaborated to produce
Violating Air Quality Standards ~ EPA’s Exceptional Events Rule
an “Air Pollution and School Activi-ties/Outdoor Sport Events” guidance to help organizations decide how to proceed with outdoor activities. The document is intended as a tool for schools and organizations to use in their decision-making process. Copies are available at SpokaneCleanAir.org, or call 477-4727.
The last five Wildfire Seasons
2015 – Five days were Unhealthy or Red, eight days were Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) or Orange
2014 – one day USG/Orange
2013 – no days over Moderate or Yellow
2012 – two days USG/Orange
2011 – no days over Moderate or Yellow
2010 – one day USG/Orange
In 2007, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency adopted a rule to
address violations of air quality stan-dards that result from “Exceptional Events” such as wildfires, dust storms, and volcanic and seismic activities. The rule addresses air quality violations that are demonstrated to be beyond state and/or local control.
Prior to this 2007 rule, a Natural Events Policy was in place. Under this policy, Spokane Clean Air requested that a June 2005 dust storm be excluded from
the data determining Spokane County’s compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. EPA approved the request.
Currently, EPA is proposing revisions to the 2007 rule to address issues raised by stakeholders. Proposed changes include providing clarity and increased administrative efficiency of the rule’s criteria and process. For more infor-mation, visit www.epa.gov and search “exceptional events” or use this short-ened url: http://1.usa.gov/1UvvmJH
The smoke-filled air shed also prompt-ed Spokane City Council President Ben Stuckart to spearhead an ordinance for Inclement Weather Centers to assist the city’s homeless population. Included in the ordinance are Safe Air Centers to be activated when air quality is forecast to be 250 or higher on the AQI.
ON THE AIR Fall-Winter 2015
Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency3104 E. Augusta Ave.Spokane, WA 99207
Pre-sort STD U.S. Postage
PAID Spokane, WA Permit No. 7
Air Quality Calendar
Happy New Year!Jan 7 Board of Directors meeting, 9:30 a.m, Spokane Clean Air's office, 3104
E. Augusta Avenue. Monthly meeting agendas available online.
Feb 4 Board of Directors meeting, 9:30 a.m, Spokane Clean Air's office, 3104 E. Augusta Avenue. Monthly meeting agendas available online.
Spokane Clean Air's Board of Directors meet the first Thursday of each month, unless otherwise publicized. Past meeting minutes are posted online.
On the Air is a publication of the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency. Its purpose is to inform local residents on all aspects of outdoor air pollution. Please contact Lisa Woodard, Editor, with comments or story ideas: Phone: 477-4727, ext. # 115 Email: [email protected] Contact Information:Office: (509) 477-4727
Burn Ban Status: (509) 477-4710
Address: 3104 E. Augusta Avenue Spokane, WA 99207
Web Address: www.SpokaneCleanAir.org
2016 Board of Directors:Al French, Chair, Spokane County
CommissionerTom Brattebo, Member-at-LargeKevin Freeman, Small Cities and Towns repRod Higgins, City of Spokane Valley repCarmen Nezat, City of Spokane rep
Sign up our free email services: � Air Quality Forecast � Asbestos Updates � Burn Bans � On the Air Newsletter � Regulation Updates � News Releases � Business Compliance AssistanceSign up at www.spokanecleanair.org
Woodridge Joins No-Idle Zone!
Woodridge Elementary has joined 40+ others as a No-Idle Zone school. The
program aims to reduce unnecessary idling near schools. Idling creates air pollution that can affect children’s health.
The program is free and simple to implement. By signing up, schools receive two No-Idle Zone signs to
Common Myths about IdlingIt’s best for my engine if I let it warm up before driving. FALSE
Idling more than a few seconds is unnecessary, even on a cold morning. Just ease into your drive for the first few blocks for your trip until the engine is warm.
In terms of gas consumption and engine wear and tear, it’s best to idle the engine rather than restart it. FALSE
Idling gets zero miles per gallon! Frequent restarting has little impact on engine components. Excessive idling can be hard on your engine as it isn’t working at peak operating temperature.
post near student pick-up areas. Schools receive materials to distribute to parents, guardians, and drivers of delivery trucks and buses. Optional extension activities for students are also available to tie-in math and social sciences.
Sign up your school or child care center today - call 477-4727.
