Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration
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
Annual average PM2.5 in the Tahoe Region from 1991 to present.
Desert Research Institute
Evaluation Map
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.
2019 Evaluation
- Status
- Considerably Better Than Target
- Trend
- Moderate Improvement
- Confidence
- High
Applicable Standard
AQ12: Maintain Particulate Matter2.5 at or below annual arithmetic average of 12µg/m3 in the portion of the Region within California and maintain Particulate Matter2.5 at or below the annual arithmetic average of 15µg/m3 in the portion of the Region within Nevada. Particulate Matter2.5 measurements shall be made using gravimetric or beta attenuation methods or any equivalent procedure which can be shown to provide equivalent results at or near the level of air quality standard.
Key Points
- 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.
Delivering and Measuring Success
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