PM10 Emission Summary 1985-2007

Coarse-mode PM, also known as PM ₁₀, is formed by crushing, grinding, and abrasion of surfaces, which breaks large pieces of material into smaller pieces. They are then suspended by the wind or by anthropogenic activity. Energy considerations limit the break-up of large particles and small particle aggregates generally to a minimum size of about 1 µm in diameter. Mining and agricultural activities are examples of anthropogenic sources of coarse-mode particles. Fungal spores, pollen, and plant and insect fragments are examples of natural bioaerosols also suspended as coarse-mode particles.

USEPA promulgated changes to the PM standard in October 1979. In that decision, EPA changed the indicator for particles from TSP to PM₁₀, the latter referring to particles with a mean aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 micrometers. This October 1979 revision included a new reference method for the measurement of PM₁₀ in the ambient air and rules for determining attainment of the new standards. Wisconsin incorporated the PM₁₀ air quality standards into section NR 404.04(8), Wisconsin Administrative Code, in September 1989. [Note: Because the PM₁₀ air quality standards were not part of the Wisconsin Administrative code until 1989, DNR began collecting this data for the 1988 data year. Consequently, PM10 data from 1985-1987 is not available.]

Many epidemiologic studies have shown statistically significant associations of ambient PM levels with a variety of human health endpoints, including mortality, hospital admissions, respiratory symptoms and illness measured in community surveys, and changes in pulmonary mechanical function. Associations of both short-term (usually days) and long-term (usually years) PM exposure with most of these endpoints have been consistently observed. The general internal consistency of the epidemiologic data base enhances the confidence accorded the reported results and has contributed to increasing public health concern. However, there remains uncertainty regarding the shapes of PM exposure-response relationships; the magnitude and variability of risk estimates for PM; the ability to attribute observed health effects to specific PM constituents; the time intervals over which PM health effects (e.g., shortening of life) are manifested; the extent to which findings in one location can be generalized to other locations; and the nature and magnitude of the overall public health risk imposed by ambient PM exposure. While the epidemiology data provide support for the associations mentioned above, understanding of underlying biologic mechanisms has not yet emerged. For further information regarding PM and PM ₁₀ go to the EPA website (exit DNR) .

A graph shows the number of stationary sources reporting PM10 emissions from 1985-2007.

A similar graph shows the actual tonnage of reported PM10 from stationary sources from 1988-2007. The graph shows how the reported PM₁₀ emissions varied from year to year from approximately 9,800 tons in 1988 to approximately 13,125 tons in 2007.

The PM₁₀ air emissions as reported from 1988-2007 were analyzed by Source Industrial Classification (SIC) code categories. SIC codes are four digit numbers assigned to each company supplying a general description of the products manufactured or sold by the company. A pie chart of the major industrial source categories showing the contribution the major source categories emitting PM₁₀ for that year can be seen by choosing any of the following years:

With the exception of Menominee County, all Wisconsin counties reported PM₁₀ emissions from 1988-2007 which are available in an Excel spreadsheet (XLS, 29KB). This information is sorted in alphabetical order by county. This information does not include emissions from portable sources (i.e. rock crushers, hot mix asphalt plants.)

This PM10 information is available in an Excel Spreadsheet (XLS, 159KB) by city. This information was sorted first, alphabetically by county, and second, alphabetically by municipality in that county. This information does not include emissions from portable sources (i.e. rock crushers, hot mix asphalt plants.)

Information on each reporting facility's actual 2007 PM₁₀ emissions are also available in an Excel Spreadsheet (XLS, 366KB). This information was sorted according to facility identification number.

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