Bureau of Air Quality – Ports
In its Nov. 22 story on ports, The State said, “One study environmentalists say should have been done has only been launched this year. That will show how toxic soot now affects neighborhoods near the proposed terminal and the I-26 access road. DHEC is installing five monitors at neighborhoods near industrial plants and the terminals. So far, the monitors show air pollution levels don’t exceed federal standards in those areas. But the amount of soot in the air is higher there than farther south, along the Ashley River near the Citadel campus, where DHEC has monitored air for several years.”
The study referenced by the story is known as Variability of PM2.5 concentrations in the Charleston Neck. Its objectives and the most current data is available on DHEC’s Web site at http://www.scdhec.gov/environment/baq/CharlestonNeckStudy.aspx
This study, which began in August and will continue through mid-December of this year, is being done in cooperation with the local communities, government and health researchers. The study’s goal is to help determine the most representative location for a long-term air monitoring site to track air quality before and, if approved, during and after the port expansion.
The samplers do indicate that fine particulate concentrations in the neck area are well below the standard.
Since there are different sampling methods and locations of the permanent network monitors, the data from these five monitors should not be compared with the permanent monitors.
For additional information, contact: (803) 898-3432