The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that Birmingham will be in attainment of air-quality standards. While the area has been doing well for the past few years, the relentless pest was the too-high particulate matter floating in the air.
As AL.com reporter Ben Raines related this week, particulate matter is generally described as soot, which is associated with coal-burning power plants, car emissions and heavy industry such as steal mills.
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management and Jefferson County Health Department put together a plan to boost the area's air quality which, Raines reports, resulted in better pollution controls for several industries. That led to the lower emissions, and now here we are in compliance for the six primary air quality standards for the first time in 30 years.
Celebration and congratulations are in order. Many groups and businesses with varying philosophies worked together to put Birmingham in the position to meet the standards.
Government agencies and industries must keep working hard so we don't backslide. Maintaining the air quality standards opens a huge door for economic development in the Birmingham area.
Because the city and county did not meet EPA air quality standards, certain polluting industries were prohibited from locating here. New industries in cities not in attainment with the air quality standards cannot obtain air pollution permits.
The federal standards are stringent for six pollutants: Carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxide, ozone, sulfur oxides and particulate matter. Particulate matter -- basically soot -- has been Birmingham and Jefferson County's most frustrating nemesis. That dragon is slain.
Even if Birmingham doesn't backslide on air quality by its own fault, it still may have a hard time remaining in attainment. Last month, the EPA passed more stringent standards for particulate matter. While Birmingham did meet the old standard, testing still must determine whether Birmingham can meet the new one.
There's encouragement, however. We have proof now that cooperation and collaboration between government agencies, federal and state environmental departments and industries that pollute can improve an area's air quality.
We have a road map to follow should we need to go there again.