Air Pollutants - Particulate Matter (PM)
Ensuring that our air quality in South Carolina meets the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) is a challenging issue we face every day. Over the last several years, staff within the Air Program has cultivated working relationships with partners across varied sectors at the state and local level for the purpose of encouraging, enabling and supporting efforts to implement effective air pollution reduction activities. Recent revisions to the PM standard have created an ideal opportunity for the local stakeholders in South Carolina to continue and advance proactive local measures implemented to improve air quality.
Over the past several months, community leaders have been working together to formulate an action plan for improving air quality and ensuring attainment with current and future NAAQS. Maintaining this effort prior to designation by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the current PM standard and the revised PM and ozone standards is helping bring cleaner air to South Carolina sooner.
Local Initiatives
All Presentations are in pdf format.
Additional resources and presentations for the Aiken/Augusta area can be found on the CSRA Air Quality Alliance webpage.
- Aiken/Augusta Joint Meeting for Particulate Matter
- Breathe Better
- Options for Reducing Emissions From Diesel Engines
- Georgia Open Burning Restrictions
- Outdoor Burning Education Efforts and Open Burning Regulations in SC
- How Augusta/Aiken can benefit from Atlanta's TDM Experience and Resources
- Timeline for Development and Implementation of PM2.5 Action Plan
- Augusta Area Particulate Matter Potential Local Control Measures
June 27, 2007 CM COG Air Quality Forum for Local Governments
June 25, 2008 CM Air Quality Forum
Technical Group Resources
- List of Potential Control Measures for PM2.5 and Precursors
- National Association of Clean Air Agencies (NACAA), March 2006 Controlling Fine Particulate Matter Under the Clean Air Act: A Menu of Options
- EPA National Clean Diesel Campaign Publications
- Diesel Technology Forum – Why retrofit?
- Southeast Diesel Collaborative
- Center for Clean Air Policy: Air Quality and Smart Growth - Planning for Cleaner Air
- Victoria Transport Policy Institute is an independent research organization dedicated to developing innovative and practical solutions to transportation problems. They provide a variety of free resources on their website.
- EPA wood stove changeout
- Energy Star
- Particulate Controls – Institute of Clean Air Companies
- EPA Agricultural Burning site
- SC Forestry Commission fire and burning information
- GA Forestry Commission
- Florida Department of Forestry
- North Carolina Forest Service
For more information please contact the Bureau of Air Quality at (803) 898-4123 or by email.