Nov. 20, 2024. Reno/Sparks, Nev. – Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) – Air Quality Management Division (AQMD) is requesting written public comment on the 2022 Mosquito Fire PM2.5 Exceptional Event Demonstration, a technical report demonstrating that the Mosquito Fire caused PM2.5 exceedances in 2022. The document requests that the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) exclude the PM2.5 data from regulatory consideration. PM2.5 is defined as particulate matter that is sized 2.5 microns in diameter or less. The document can be found here on our website.
On February 7, 2024, the EPA strengthened the annual PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) from 12.0 µg/m3 to 9.0 µg/m3. Currently, the Sparks air monitoring station’s PM2.5 monitor has a design value of 9.7 µg/m3. Without exclusion of Mosquito Fire affected data, the Truckee Meadows Hydrographic Area (HA 87) would be designated nonattainment by EPA for the 2024 annual PM2.5 NAAQS which would potentially require new or strengthened regulations on residents, businesses, and industry and discourage future economic development. With exclusion of Mosquito Fire affected data, HA 87 would be designated as attainment, with an annual design value of 9.0 µg/m3. This designation by EPA would not require new or strengthened regulations.
Comments will be accepted until midnight on December 20, 2024, and may be submitted via e-mail to Health-AQ-Planning@nnph.org. All correspondence must include first and last name and a complete mailing address.
For more information, visit the AQMD’s website at OurCleanAir.com.
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Please note the Washoe County Health District changed its name to Northern Nevada Public Health on Aug. 31, 2023. More information is here.
Northern Nevada Public Health is nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board and has jurisdiction over all public health matters in Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County through the policy-making District Board of Health. The District consists of five divisions: Administrative Health Services, Air Quality Management, Community and Clinical Health Services, Environmental Health Services and Epidemiology & Public Health Preparedness. More info can be found here.