OAR 340-206-0040: Special Conditions

(1) DEQ must issue an "ozone advisory" to the public when monitored ozone values at any site exceed the ambient air quality standard of 0.12 ppm but are less than 0.2 ppm for a one hour average. The ozone advisory must clearly identify the area where the ozone values have exceeded the ambient air standard and must state that significant health effects are not expected at these levels, however, sensitive individuals may be affected by some symptoms. (2) Where particulate is primarily soil from windblown dust or fallout from volcanic activity, episodes dealing with such conditions must be treated differently than particulate episodes caused by other controllable sources. In making a declaration of air pollution alert, warning, or emergency for such particulate, DEQ must be guided by the following criteria: (a) "Air pollution alert for particulate from volcanic fallout or windblown dust" means particulate values are significantly above a standard but the source is a volcanic eruption or dust storm. In this condition there is no significant danger to public health but there may be a public nuisance created from the dusty conditions. It may be advisable under these circumstances to voluntarily restrict traffic volume and/or speed limits on major thoroughfares and institute cleanup procedures. DEQ will declare an air pollution alert for particulate from volcanic fallout or wind-blown dust when particulate values at any monitoring site exceed or are projected to exceed 800 ug/m3 — 24-hour average and the particulate is primarily from volcanic activity or dust storms, meteorological conditions not withstanding; (b) "Air pollution warning for particulate from volcanic fallout or windblown dust" means particulate values are very high but the source is volcanic eruption or dust storm. Prolonged exposure over several days at or above these levels may produce respiratory distress in sensitive individuals. Under these conditions staggered work hours in metropolitan areas, mandated traffic reduction, speed limits and cleanup procedures may be required. DEQ will declare an air pollution warning for particulate from volcanic fallout or wind-blown dust when particulate values at any monitoring site exceed or are expected to exceed 2,000 ug/m3 — 24-hour average and the particulate is primarily from volcanic activity or dust storms, meteorological conditions not withstanding; (c) "Air pollution emergency for particulate from volcanic fallout or windblown dust" means particulate values are extremely high but the source is volcanic eruption or dust storm. Prolonged exposure over several days at or above these levels may produce respiratory distress in a significant number of people. Under these conditions cleaning procedures must be accomplished before normal traffic can be permitted. An air pollution emergency for particulate from volcanic fallout or wind-blown dust will be declared by the Director, who must keep the Governor advised of the situation, when particulate values at any monitoring site exceed or are expected to exceed 5,000 ug/m3 — 24-hour average and the particulate is primarily from volcanic activity or dust storms, meteorological conditions notwithstanding. (3) Termination: Any air pollution condition for particulate established by these criteria may be reduced to a lower condition when the criteria for establishing the higher condition are no longer observed. (4) Action: Municipal and county governments or other governmental agency having jurisdiction in areas affected by an air pollution alert, warning or emergency for particulate from volcanic fallout or windblown dust must place into effect the actions pertaining to such episodes which are described in OAR 340-206-8040. [NOTE: This rule is included in the State of Oregon Clean Air Act Implementation Plan that EQC adopted under OAR 340-200-0040.] [NOTE: All tables are found below OAR 340-206-8010, -8020, -8030, -8040.]