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PM2.5 is very fine particulate matter, 2.5 micrometers and smaller. This indicator measures the annual average PM2.5 concentration for the calendar year. Particulate matter less than or equal to 2.5 microns in size (PM2.5) is associated with a variety of human health concerns, including asthma, lung diseases, and heart disease. The primary sources of PM2.5 in the Tahoe Basin are residential fuel combustion, campfires, wildfires, prescribed fires, motor vehicles, and dust from unpaved roads. PM2.5 is monitored by TRPA and partners at three sites around the Basin.
- Status
- Considerably Better Than Target
- Trend
- Moderate Improvement
- Confidence
- High
- Average PM2.5 concentrations are well within air quality standards.
- Available data suggest that PM2.5 levels in Tahoe have decreased since the early 1990’s, but monitoring was not continuous.
The location of air quality monitoring stations in the Lake Tahoe Basin. PM2.5 is monitored by TRPA and partners at three sites around the Basin.
- This indicator addresses annual average PM2.5 concentrations in the Lake Tahoe Region. Particulate matter less than or equal to 2.5 microns in size (PM2.5) is extremely small and can be inhaled deep into the lungs, causing or aggravating asthma, lung diseases, and heart disease. Some particles pass into the bloodstream and some are considered carcinogens. Federal and state standards have been adopted to protect human health.
- The primary sources of PM2.5 in the Lake Tahoe Region are residential fuel combustion, wood smoke from wildfires and prescribed fires, motor vehicles and paved and unpaved road dust. PM2.5 results from both primary emissions (PM2.5 directly emitted from sources) and from secondary formation from reactions of gases in the atmosphere. Small particles are also transported into the Lake Tahoe Region, and the ambient concentration of PM2.5 is highly dependent on meteorological conditions such as wind speed, and mixing conditions.
EIP Indicators
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Miles of Street Sweeping
Since 2009 EIP partners have swept more than 61,000 miles of roadways within the Tahoe Basin reducing fine sediment particles from roadways entering the air and water.
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Non-Compliant Wood Stoves Removed or Retrofitted
This EIP performance measure tracks removal of polluting wood stoves to reduce local air pollution for human and ecosystem health.
Example EIP Projects
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Street Sweeper Purchase
Reductions in particulate matter on the South Shore can mostly be attributed to reductions in local sources such as increased street sweeping.
Monitoring Programs
- The current status was determined based on the maximum annual average taken during the most recent year monitoring data is available at any monitoring site in the Region. The highest reading was 0.3 ug/m3 taken at Tahoe City in 2019. This is 3% of the maximum allowable value. Therefore, the current status was determined to be considerably better than target.
- Trend was determined using the annual average reading at various South Lake Tahoe sites from 1989-2019 using the Theil-Sen robust regression method. An annual decrease of 1.6% was observed during the time frame. Therefore, a trend of moderate improvement was determined.
- High. Monitoring was conducted using strict protocols.
- High. A long-term, high-quality data set is available to analyze trend.
- High.
No photos available.
No documents available.
Kuhns, H., Chang, M.C.O., Chow, J.C., Etyemezian, V., Chen, L.W.A., Nussbaum, N., Nathagoundenpalayam, S.K.K., Trimble, D., Kohl, S., MacLaren, M., Abu- Aliban, M., Gillies, J., Gertler, A., 2004. DRI Lake Tahoe Sources Characterization Study. Final Report to Air Resources Board, Contract No. 01–734, October. Desert Research Institute. http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/apr/past/01-734.pdf.