Bronte Wells
The air quality in Asheville, North Carolina, is a growing concern for residents and visitors alike. While the air quality is generally considered acceptable for most individuals, those with respiratory issues are advised to limit their outdoor activities. This is due to the presence of PM2.5, tiny particles that irritate the eyes, nose, and respiratory system, and can aggravate heart and lung disease over time. Furthermore, a 2015 report revealed that Duke Energy's Asheville coal plant emitted harmful sulfur dioxide pollution, impacting nearby residential areas and natural spaces. These findings highlighted the health risks for the community, particularly for those with asthma, and urged Duke Energy to address the issue. The question remains: has Duke Energy heeded these calls to action, and what is the current state of pollution in Asheville?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main pollutant | PM2.5 |
| AQI | 74 |
| Dominant pollutant concentration | 3.6 times the WHO annual guideline value |
| Air quality | Moderate |
| Health recommendations | Reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion if suffering from respiratory issues |
| Pollution source | Duke Energy's Asheville coal plant |
| Pollutant type | Sulfur dioxide (SO2) |
| Pollution levels | Up to 3.5 times the safe limit |
| Impacted areas | Parts of South Asheville, Fairview, Leicester, and trails in the Bent Creek Forest |
| Number of people suffering from asthma in Buncombe County | Nearly 20,000 |
| Lung health concern | Impact of air pollution during the COVID-19 pandemic |
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What You'll Learn
- The dominant pollutant PM2.5 irritates eyes, nose, and the respiratory system
- Duke Energy's Asheville coal plant emitted harmful sulfur dioxide
- The coal plant is the leading contributor to climate disruption in the region
- The air quality is generally acceptable, but sensitive groups may experience symptoms
- Asheville's air quality index (AQI) is rated as moderate
The dominant pollutant PM2.5 irritates eyes, nose, and the respiratory system
The air quality in Asheville, NC, is generally considered acceptable for most individuals. However, the dominant pollutant, PM2.5, can cause eye, nose, and respiratory irritation, even in moderate conditions.
PM2.5 refers to particulate matter that is less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter. These tiny particles can penetrate deeply into the respiratory tract, reaching the lungs. There, they irritate and corrode the alveolar wall, impairing lung function. This can lead to short-term health effects such as coughing, sneezing, a runny nose, and shortness of breath.
Long-term exposure to PM2.5 can aggravate heart and lung disease. Studies have shown that it increases the risk of respiratory diseases, heart disease, asthma, and even lung cancer. In fact, the Harvard Six Cities Study published in 1996 revealed that PM2.5 was one of the causative factors of human non-accidental death, particularly in the elderly.
In Asheville, the PM2.5 concentration is currently 3.6 times the World Health Organization's annual guideline value. This means that even healthy individuals may experience adverse effects with prolonged exposure. Sensitive groups, including people with respiratory issues, children, older adults, pregnant women, and those who exercise or work outdoors, should be particularly cautious and limit their outdoor activities when PM2.5 levels are high.
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Duke Energy's Asheville coal plant emitted harmful sulfur dioxide
Duke Energy's Asheville coal plant has been emitting harmful sulfur dioxide (SO2) at levels considered unsafe by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) since at least 2015. The Sierra Club, a non-profit environmental organization, has been actively campaigning for Duke Energy to transition away from coal and reduce its air and water pollution in Asheville, North Carolina.
The Asheville Beyond Coal campaign, a local initiative supported by the Sierra Club, has brought attention to the coal plant's carbon emissions, coal ash pollution, and its detrimental effects on groundwater and rivers, such as the French Broad River. However, the primary concern remains the plant's emission of harmful sulfur dioxide.
An analysis by Air Resource Specialists revealed that the air in residential areas downwind of the Asheville coal plant had sulfur dioxide concentrations up to 3.5 times higher than the safe levels determined by the EPA. This toxic pollutant can trigger asthma attacks, airway constriction, and exacerbate respiratory issues such as bronchitis and emphysema. The report also indicated that the plant's pollution exceeded minimum public health standards about once every three to four days since 2010.
The increased pollution has been attributed to two primary causes. Firstly, Duke Energy has allegedly reduced the utilization of its pollution protection technology. Secondly, the company has switched to cheaper coal with a higher sulfur content. These changes appear to be cost-cutting measures, as the Asheville plant is one of Duke Energy's most expensive to operate.
The Sierra Club and community members have urged Duke Energy to prioritize public health and take immediate action to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions. With nearly 20,000 children and adults suffering from asthma in Buncombe County, the high levels of sulfur dioxide pollution pose a significant health risk to the residents of Asheville, North Carolina.
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The coal plant is the leading contributor to climate disruption in the region
The Asheville Plant was a coal-fired power plant located in Skyland, North Carolina, that served customers from 1964 until its retirement in 2020. The plant was replaced by the Asheville Combined Cycle Station, a cleaner-burning, highly efficient natural gas plant.
Before its retirement, the coal plant was a leading contributor to climate disruption in the region. In 2009, it ranked 69th on a list of the 100 most polluting coal plants in the United States in terms of coal combustion waste (CCW) stored in surface impoundments. The plant released 411,793 pounds of CCW to surface impoundments in 2006, and its coal ash surface impoundments were rated as having a high hazard potential by the EPA.
The coal plant also had a significant impact on air quality in the region. The main pollutant in Asheville's air is PM2.5, tiny particles that irritate the eyes, nose, and respiratory system. Long-term exposure to PM2.5 can aggravate heart and lung disease. The concentration of PM2.5 in Asheville's air has been measured at 3.6 times the World Health Organization's annual guideline value, which is concerning for the health of the region's residents.
Additionally, the coal plant was associated with groundwater contamination. In 2013, conservation groups filed a lawsuit against Duke Energy, alleging that their coal ash pits, including the one at the Asheville Plant, were contaminating groundwater with arsenic and other toxins. The lawsuit challenged less stringent regulations that had been applied to the coal ash pits, arguing that they were not in compliance with groundwater contamination standards.
The retirement of the coal plant has led to significant reductions in emissions. Carbon dioxide emissions at the site have dropped by about 60% per megawatt-hour, and sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions are expected to decrease by 99% and 40%, respectively. The replacement natural gas plant is 75% more efficient than the retired coal plant, providing reliable and cleaner energy to the region.
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The air quality is generally acceptable, but sensitive groups may experience symptoms
The air quality in Asheville, North Carolina, is generally acceptable for most individuals. However, sensitive groups, such as those with respiratory issues, may experience symptoms such as eye, nose, and throat irritation, and even difficulty breathing. These symptoms can be caused by tiny particles called PM2.5, which can irritate the eyes, nose, and respiratory system, and aggravate heart and lung disease over time. Therefore, it is recommended that individuals with respiratory issues reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion and limit outdoor activity when the air quality is poor.
The air quality in Asheville has shown improvements in recent years, particularly regarding ozone and particle pollution. The American Lung Association's 2020 "State of the Air" report found that several North Carolina cities, including Wilmington and the Charlotte-Concord metro area, earned improved rankings for the nation's most widespread air pollutants—ozone and particle pollution. These pollutants can have serious health impacts, including increasing the risk of premature death, asthma attacks, cardiovascular damage, and developmental and reproductive harm.
Despite these improvements, there are still concerns about dangerous levels of air pollution in Asheville. A 2015 report revealed that Duke Energy's Asheville coal plant had been emitting harmful sulfur dioxide (SO2) pollution at levels considered unsafe by the Environmental Protection Agency. This pollution has impacted nearby residential areas and trails in the Bent Creek Forest, with concentrations of SO2 up to 3.5 times higher than the EPA's safe standards. This issue has persisted since 2010, occurring approximately one out of every three to four days.
Additionally, watchdog groups have discovered dangerous pollution from the coal plant's coal ash pits, including mercury leaking into the French Broad River, violating the Clean Water Act. The plant is also the largest source of carbon pollution in Western North Carolina, contributing significantly to climate disruption in the region. These findings have raised concerns about the health and safety of families living in and visiting the impacted areas, with nearly 20,000 children and adults suffering from asthma in Buncombe County alone.
While the air quality in Asheville may be generally acceptable, it is important to be cautious, especially for sensitive groups. Reducing outdoor exertion when air pollution levels are high and advocating for the implementation of pollution control technology can help minimize the potential health risks associated with air pollution in the area.
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Asheville's air quality index (AQI) is rated as moderate
The air quality in Asheville is generally acceptable for most individuals. However, sensitive groups may experience symptoms from long-term exposure to pollutants, including throat irritation and difficulty breathing. These symptoms are not limited to sensitive groups, and even healthy individuals may experience them with prolonged exposure.
The air quality in Asheville has shown improvement in recent years, particularly regarding ozone pollution. The Charlotte-Concord metro area, which includes Asheville, recorded fewer unhealthy days of high ozone in 2020 compared to previous years. This improvement is attributed to the Clean Air Act, which has resulted in dramatic improvements in air quality across North Carolina.
Despite this progress, there are still concerns about dangerous levels of air pollution in Asheville. A 2015 report found that Duke Energy's Asheville coal plant emitted harmful sulfur dioxide (SO2) pollution at levels considered unsafe by the Environmental Protection Agency. These emissions have impacted the surrounding areas, including South Asheville, Fairview, Leicester, and trails in the Bent Creek Forest. The report also highlighted that the plant's pollution has exceeded minimum public health standards approximately one out of every three to four days since 2010.
To address these concerns, it has been recommended that Duke Energy utilize the plant's pollution control technology as intended and transition to coal with a lower sulfur content. Watchdog groups have also discovered dangerous pollution from the plant's coal ash pits, including mercury, leaking into the French Broad River, which violates the Clean Water Act. These issues underscore the ongoing challenges in maintaining and improving air quality in Asheville.
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Frequently asked questions
The air quality in Asheville is generally moderate. While most individuals can enjoy their normal outdoor activities, sensitive groups may experience symptoms like throat irritation and difficulty breathing.
The dominant pollutant in Asheville is PM2.5, which irritates the eyes, nose, and respiratory system. Long-term exposure can aggravate heart and lung disease.
Duke Energy's Asheville coal plant has been a significant source of pollution, emitting harmful sulfur dioxide (SO2) at levels considered unsafe by the Environmental Protection Agency. The plant is also the largest source of carbon pollution in Western North Carolina.
