Helena Joyce
Lancaster, South Carolina, has a high level of air pollution, with the air quality reaching higher than the maximum limit for 24 hours established by the World Health Organization. The dominant pollutant in Lancaster is PM2.5, which irritates the eyes, nose, and respiratory system, and can aggravate heart and lung disease with long-term exposure. The Brunner Island power plant in York County is Lancaster County's largest single source of dust and soot emissions, although levels are decreasing due to new federal requirements and a conversion to natural gas. Other sources of pollution in Lancaster County include industries, power plants, homes, and agricultural activity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main pollutants | PM2.5, PM10, NO2, O3 |
| AQI | 68.0 |
| Dominant pollutant | PM2.5 |
| Sources of pollution | Brunner Island power plant, vehicles, industries, homes, agriculture, metropolitan areas upwind |
| Largest contributors to fine particulate matter emissions | 30% agricultural crop and livestock dust, 15% residential fuel combustion, 10% industrial fuel combustion, 9% biomass waste disposal |
| Days of elevated pollution levels in 2020 | 107 |
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What You'll Learn
Particulate matter, ozone, and other pollutants
Lancaster, SC, has a variety of pollution sources, including particulate matter, ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and other toxic or hazardous substances. These pollutants come from burning fossil fuels, agricultural activity, wildfires, and other sources.
Particulate matter, also known as PM2.5, is a dominant pollutant in Lancaster, SC. These are tiny particles that irritate the eyes, nose, and respiratory system. Long-term exposure to PM2.5 can aggravate heart and lung disease. PM2.5 reduces visibility and causes the air to appear hazy when levels are elevated. The main sources of particulate matter in Lancaster County include agricultural crop and livestock dust, residential and industrial fuel combustion, and biomass waste disposal.
Ozone is another significant pollutant in Lancaster, SC. In 2020, Lancaster County experienced 107 days of elevated ozone levels. Ozone is a highly reactive gas that can irritate the respiratory system and cause or worsen respiratory conditions such as asthma. It is formed when sunlight reacts with pollutants emitted by power plants, industries, and vehicles.
Other pollutants of concern in Lancaster, SC, include nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. Nitrogen dioxide is a harmful pollutant that can irritate the lungs and aggravate respiratory conditions. It is produced by burning fossil fuels, such as in power plants and vehicles. Sulfur dioxide is another pollutant released during the burning of fossil fuels, particularly those containing sulfur, such as coal. It can lead to respiratory issues and contribute to acid rain.
The Brunner Island power plant in York County has historically been a major source of air pollution in Lancaster County, including emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. However, pollution levels from this plant are decreasing due to new air pollution equipment and a partial conversion to natural gas.
Overall, Lancaster, SC, faces a range of pollution challenges, including particulate matter, ozone, and other harmful pollutants, which have negative impacts on human health and the environment.
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Brunner Island power plant emissions
The Brunner Island Steam Electric Station is a coal-fired, alternatively natural gas-powered electrical generation facility in York County, Pennsylvania. The Brunner Island power plant is located on the right bank of the Susquehanna River in East Manchester Township, near York Haven in York County, Pennsylvania, US. The power plant has three major coal-fired units that were commissioned between 1961 and 1969, with respective generating capacities of 334 MW, 390 MW, and 759 MW (in winter conditions). In addition, three internal combustion generators (2.8 MWe each) were installed in 1967.
The Brunner Island power plant has been a major source of pollution, including air and water pollution. In 2006, Brunner Island ranked 27th on the list of most-polluting major power stations in the US in terms of sulphur dioxide gas emission rate. It discharged 20.49 pounds (9.29 kg) of SO2 for each MWh of electric power produced that year (93,545 tons of SO2 per year in total). In 2021, the facility produced 2.28 megatonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e) greenhouse gas emissions. This is the same climate impact as 491,312 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles driven for one year. Out of 89 power stations in Pennsylvania, Brunner Island ranks as the 13th most polluting.
The plant has also been blamed for several Susquehanna River fish kills. Water pollution from the Brunner Island plant has been a concern, with coal ash and other byproducts of coal-burning improperly stored on site in unlined pits. Contaminants such as arsenic, manganese, iron, and boron have been leaching into the groundwater and, ultimately, into the Susquehanna River. The plant has been subjected to penalties and legal settlements on environmental violation charges. As part of an out-of-court settlement with the Sierra Club, which had previously sued the plant over pollution, Brunner Island will stop burning coal and convert to natural gas by the end of 2028.
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Agricultural activity and livestock dust
Lancaster County's air quality is heavily influenced by agricultural activity and livestock dust, which contribute about 30% of the fine particulate matter emissions in the region. The American Lung Association's State of the Air report ranks the Lancaster metro area 22nd worst for particle pollution, attributing this to agricultural practices such as tilling, harvesting, and livestock care. These activities generate dust and ammonia, which contribute to fine particle pollution and ozone levels.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has acknowledged the impact of agriculture on air quality, with farming practices accounting for nearly 90% of the fine particulate matter emissions in the US. To address this issue, the EPA has developed resources such as the Air Monitoring at Agricultural Operations site, which studies emissions from crop and animal farms and provides federal standards and practices to reduce emissions.
Additionally, the EPA offers guides such as the Agricultural Air Quality Conservation Measures Reference Guide for Cropping Systems and General Land Management, which provides strategies for reducing air pollutant emissions from agricultural land management and cropping operations. Another guide, tailored for poultry and livestock production systems, outlines conservation measures to reduce emissions from farms.
To support Lancaster County's agricultural sector and improve air quality, innovative farming practices and low-emission equipment are recommended. This includes implementing precision fertilization techniques and utilizing localized solutions that consider the unique terrain of the county, rather than adopting one-size-fits-all urban policies. By investing in these strategies, Lancaster County can strike a balance between maintaining its vital agricultural industry and improving the air quality for its residents.
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Residential and industrial fuel combustion
Residential fuel combustion refers to the burning of fuels in homes for heating and cooking. Common residential fuels include natural gas, electricity, and solid fuels such as wood or coal. The use of solid fuel stoves and open fires for heating has a significant impact on air quality and health, particularly in urban and suburban areas. Wood-burning releases particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and other toxic substances into the air. These pollutants can irritate the eyes, nose, and respiratory system, and long-term exposure can aggravate heart and lung disease. In Lancaster, it is estimated that 25% of fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) comes from wood-burning stoves and solid fuel appliances used by around 8% of households.
Industrial fuel combustion, on the other hand, involves the burning of fuels in factories, power plants, and other industrial settings. Fossil fuels, such as coal, are burned for power generation, releasing pollutants such as sulphur dioxide (SO2). SO2 is a respiratory irritant and contributes to the acidification of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, damaging habitats and leading to biodiversity loss. Industrial processes that burn specified materials, including some types of waste, can also release pollutants.
To minimize air pollution and protect public health, the Lancaster City Council discourages the use of solid fuel/wood-burning appliances in urban and suburban locations. The council recommends using alternative heating sources, such as natural gas or electricity, which have a lower impact on air quality. Additionally, the council monitors nitrogen dioxide levels at automatic monitoring stations and diffusion tube sites across the district to assess local air quality and take necessary actions for improvement.
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Wildfires and biomass waste disposal
Lancaster, South Carolina, has a problem with air pollution. According to a report by the PennEnvironment Research and Policy Center and the Frontier Group, Lancaster County experienced 107 days of elevated levels of ozone or particulate pollution in 2020. The air quality in the county has, at times, exceeded the maximum limit for a 24-hour period established by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Wildfires are a significant contributor to air pollution in Lancaster, SC. The burning of fossil fuels, agricultural activity, and other sources, including wildfires, release a variety of contaminants into the atmosphere, including particulate matter, ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other toxic or hazardous substances.
Biomass waste disposal is another source of pollution in Lancaster, SC. Biomass waste disposal accounts for 9% of fine particulate matter emissions in Lancaster County, according to the Partnership for Public Health. Fine particulate matter, also known as PM2.5, are tiny particles that irritate the eyes, nose, and respiratory system. Long-term exposure to PM2.5 can aggravate heart and lung disease.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses the Air Quality Index (AQI) to communicate the potential health risks associated with air pollution to the public. The AQI classifies levels of different pollutants into color-coded risk categories: Good, Moderate, Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, Unhealthy, Very Unhealthy, and Hazardous. In 2020, Lancaster County experienced 107 days at the "Moderate" level or worse.
The effects of wildfires and biomass waste disposal on air pollution in Lancaster, SC, are significant. The release of pollutants into the atmosphere can have both short-term and long-term impacts on human health, as well as the environment. It is important for residents of Lancaster, SC, to stay informed about the air quality in their area and to take necessary precautions to protect their health, such as reducing prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion when air pollution levels are high.
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Frequently asked questions
The air quality in Lancaster is poor, with high levels of pollution. The main pollutants include PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and O3. In 2020, Lancaster County saw 107 days of elevated levels of ozone or particulate pollution.
The Brunner Island power plant in York County has been a major source of air pollution in Lancaster County, but levels have decreased significantly due to new air pollution equipment and a conversion to natural gas. Other sources of pollution include agricultural activities, such as spreading manure and fertilizer, as well as industrial fuel combustion, residential fuel combustion, and biomass waste disposal.
Air pollution can have significant impacts on human health, even at low levels. Particulate matter, such as PM2.5, can irritate the eyes, nose, and respiratory system, and long-term exposure can aggravate heart and lung disease. Ozone (O3) and carbon monoxide (CO) are also harmful to human health.
