Sustainable Thurston Report Card

Goal
Maintain air quality standards.

Targets
Continue to meet state and federal air quality standards, including:

  • Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5: 12 micrograms per cubic meter of air, annual average (federal primary standard)
  • Ozone: 0.075 parts per million, 8 hour average (federal primary/secondary standards)

Outlook
SunnySunny, future looks bright.
The region’s air quality continues to meet national standards.

  1. PM 2.5 Pollution
  2. Ozone Pollution

View chart in new window

Data Table

Why is this important?
The Clean Air Act identifies two types of national ambient air quality standards. Primary standards provide public health protection, including protecting the health of sensitive populations such as people with asthma, children, and the elderly. Secondary standards provide public welfare protection, including protection against decreased visibility and damage to animals, crops, vegetation, and buildings. 

PollutantStandardAveraging Time LevelForm
OzonePrimary &
Secondary		8-hour0.075 ppmAnnual fourth-highest daily maximum 8-hr concentration, averaged over 3 years
Particle Pollution
(PM 2.5)		PrimaryAnnual12 μg/m3Annual mean, averaged over 3 years
SecondaryAnnual15 μg/m3Annual mean, averaged over 3 years

Key Observations
There are two air quality monitoring stations in Thurston County monitoring ozone and fine particulate matter (PM 2.5). The region’s air quality has continued to meet air quality standards over the last 15 years.