Air – we need it, part one

The atmosphere that encircles our planet protects and sustains all living things. The Stratosphere is home to the Ozone layer, some 12 to 25 miles above us, protecting us from solar radiation. The layer we spend our lives in, the lower portion of the Troposphere, provides that sustenance we all need - breathable air. What we breath includes various gases -- about 78 percent nitrogen, 21 percent oxygen, 0.9 percent argon, and 0.1 percent other gases. What happens when human activities and natural events add gases, toxins and particulate matter into the part of the Troposphere we live in and breath from? Our health is jeopardized.

Air contamination is a real issue. We see this issue around our region when wildfires are active and the smoke settles and lingers for days or weeks. Sometimes, we see it during winter with temperature inversions which trap contaminated air close to the surface. Governing bodies from federal down through states, counties and cities, manage Air Quality or Air Resource agencies that are responsible for informing citizens about air quality concerns. Here in Washington State, the Department of Ecology has that responsibility. Nationally, it's the Federal Environmental Protection Agency.

A recent Reuters News investigation report found some real concerning issues with the air quality monitoring across the United States. The Reuters report conducted and examination of data from the EPA and independent monitoring organizations, as well as interviews with scientists and environmental researchers. "The government network of 3,900 monitoring devices nationwide has routinely missed major toxic releases and day-to-day pollution dangers, the data show." The article, released by Reuters as a Special Report on December 1st, goes on to state, "Over the past five years, the number of government air quality monitors nationally has declined by 4% as state and local environmental agencies cut spending, according to EPA figures. Federal grants to state and local air-quality agencies have not increased in 15 years, according to testimony earlier this year by the National Association of Clean Air Agencies, a nonpartisan group based in Arlington, Virginia."

Lastly, there are substantial gaps in the coverage areas of "official" air quality monitors across the nation. Looking the Washington State map on the Department of Ecology website of official air quality monitoring units, the Grand Coulee region has no monitors. In fact, the closest air quality monitoring units are in Chelan, Omak and Wellpinit. Also, the data available is hourly, not real time. Over the past few years, I've contacted the Department of Ecology asking if it would be possible to have a monitor, permanently or seasonally, installed somewhere in the Grand Coulee area. It won't happen, as the Reuters News report states, there have been spending cuts and a zero increase in federal grant funding for air quality needs.

Recently, I sent a request for information regarding Washington State air quality monitors, their operation, maintenance and down time. A report called Air Quality Data Monitoring Assessment Report for the Second Quarter of 2020, along with answers to my questions was received. Good information regarding the statewide assessment. Of course, without an "official" air quality monitor near our region of the state, there is no specific data for me to analysis and share.

Next month, in part two, I'll write about how our Coulee communities have been aided and empowered with local, real time air quality monitoring capabilities.

Let's take a look at the weather data for December 2020. I'll have a summary for the year 2020 next month. Precipitation for the month was 1.39", total snowfall was 9.3". The wettest December was in 1996 with 3.44" while the mean is 1.39". The maximum snowfall for this past month was 1964 with 29.8" and the mean snowfall is 4.9". The high temperature was 51.3˚F on the 20th, the low was 17.8˚F on the 24th and the mean was 32.2˚F. The all-time high for December was back in 2007 with 58˚F, the all-time low was in 1968 with -16˚F and the all-time mean is 29.3˚F. This data is from my personal weather station, it is not the official weather data for our region.

Though our winter night sky has been obscured by clouds, I'll share this information about the planets in our solar system for the month of January. From our friends at EarthSky.com. "As the year opens, you can still view 2 bright close-knit planets in evening twilight: Jupiter and Saturn. Mercury joins them on January 9, 10 and 11. Mars is the only bright evening planet out after true darkness falls. Dazzling Venus is the sole morning planet, lighting up the east at dawn." Watch for a full Moon on January 28.

Here's trusting that your new year will be dynamic.