By Karen Robes Meeks
Maritime-related air pollution in the Puget Sound fell in almost every sector between 2005 and 2016, according to a recent report put together by the Puget Sound Maritime Air Forum, a committee of seven ports, six government agencies, and three industrial partners.
The report indicates that air polluting emissions dropped by as much as 97 percent depending on the type. The number of fine particles, for example, dove 69 percent.
First conducted in 2005 and updated every five years, the inventory is designed to track emission reductions. The decreased emissions stem from the industry’s investment in cleaner equipment and operations as well as more stringent regulations.
“The Puget Sound maritime air emissions inventory is a solid step to inform our community and decision makers about our air quality conditions and encourage further emission reductions to protect public health, especially those disproportionately impacted in nearby communities,” said Tim Hamlin, director of Air and Waste, US Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 10.
For more information visit www.pugetsoundmaritimeairforum.org.
