Colorado complies with carbon monoxide standards

(COLORADO) — The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) reported on Thursday, Aug. 15 the state had kept outdoor carbon monoxide pollution well below Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards and was now under compliance.

From 1999 to 2003, the EPA designated various areas in Colorado as back in compliance with the federal carbon monoxide standard. This type of pollution originates from the tailpipe of gas-powered vehicles and it can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, chest pain, and exacerbate pre-existing conditions such as heart diseases.

On Aug. 15, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission approved revisions to the state’s maintenance plans for outdoor carbon monoxide pollution. After 20 years, pollution is now more than 80% below — the federal standard is an average of 9 parts per million over eight-hour periods — and the Centennial state is finally meeting federal standards.

“This success story shows that Colorado can meet and even exceed federal air quality standards,” said Air Pollution Control Division Director Michael Ogletree. “We achieved attainment for carbon monoxide, and we’re making headway to do it again for other air pollutants. This is a case study in how state and federal policies, combined with technological improvements, can work in concert to reduce air pollution and protect public health across Colorado.”

The Clean Air Act requires a state to stay in compliance with an air quality standard for two decades before it can request the EPA to end its oversight.

Colorado was successful and had maintained carbon monoxide levels below 4.7 parts per million over eight-hour periods for 20 years and reached levels below 0.8 parts per million.

“The air commission celebrates this success and was thrilled to approve these revisions to the state’s air quality plan,” said Commissioner Patrick Cummins, Chair of the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission. “Colorado experienced high levels of carbon monoxide pollution in the 1970s and 1980s, and this milestone shows how far we’ve come in protecting and improving air quality for all Coloradans.”

The CDPHE said the majority of carbon monoxide emission reductions stem from improvements in technology, such as catalytic converters, and cleaner fuels.

Although Colorado is now under federal standards, the state will continue to reduce carbon monoxide emissions through clean transportation initiatives and other policies to help reduce tailpipe emissions of pollutants like carbon monoxide.

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