LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) A new report by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality says the level of air pollutants in the state continued to decline through 2016.
The “2017 State of the Air” report evaluated ground-level ozone concentrations and concentrations of other pollutants that are regulated by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards program. It notes declines from 2005 to 2016 where the state has monitors in ground-level ozone.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that Arkansas is one of 12 states that meets all federal air quality standards.
Stuart Spencer is an associate director for the department who leads the Office of Air Quality. He has said that he believes the downward trend of certain air pollutants was attributable to both regulatory and nonregulatory efforts.
Spencer says that trading emissions credits through the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule has helped reduce pollutants.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI