Ozone Season Began May 1

Outdoor Burning Restricted in Some Counties

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 2, 2022) – Ozone season began May 1 and for some Kentucky counties that means taking extra care to learn before you burn. From May 1 through September 30, open burning in Boone, Boyd, Bullitt, Campbell, Jefferson, Kenton, Lawrence, and Oldham counties is restricted to protect air quality.

Ground-level ozone is a summertime health risk, created when pollutants chemically react in the atmosphere in the presence of heat and sunlight.

“Pollution from open burning is more likely to cause problems during the warmer months of the year,” said Michael Kennedy, director of the Division for Air Quality. “For those counties that have historically had problems meeting air quality standards for ozone and particulate pollution, most open burning is restricted during this time to protect air quality and human health.”

From May through September, the open burning of household rubbish, brush, tree limbs, leaves and natural growth from land clearing are not permitted in Boone, Boyd, Bullitt, Campbell, Kenton, and Oldham counties. A portion of Lawrence County is subject to open burning restrictions during ozone season.  Open burning is restricted year-round in Jefferson County.

All of these counties have, at one time or another, been designated ‘non-attainment’ for ozone or particulate matter pollutants.

Many people may not realize that burning trash – at any time of the year – is illegal in all Kentucky counties. State law prohibits the burning of many materials including plastic, tires, cans, coated wire, carpeting and food waste. In addition, the burning of trailers, buildings, and construction and demolition debris such as shingles, drywall and insulation is prohibited. 

Painted, stained or treated wood products such as fence posts, pallets, and furniture are illegal to burn, because they release dangerous toxins into the air. Items that cannot be recycled should be taken to a state-permitted landfill.

To report illegal open burning or to learn more about open burning restrictions in your area, please call the Division for Air Quality at 502-782-6592 or email burnlaw@ky.gov , or visit the division’s website at http://bit.ly/OpenBurningKY .

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The Kentucky Division of Air Quality’s 2015 Annual Report

The Kentucky Division for Air Quality (DAQ) is pleased to announce the release of the 2015 annual report, which details the division’s mission, function, and commitment to protecting human health and the environment.

Kentucky’s continued trend of air quality improvement is evident in the charts found in the Technical Services Branch section of this report.  These achievements are only obtained through:

• developing effective regulations and control strategies by the Program Planning Branch;
• issuing appropriate permits containing all applicable requirements by the Permit Review Branch; and
• inspecting sources of air emissions and enforcing emission limitations by the Field Operations Branch.

Notice of Comment Period – Ambient Air Monitoring Network

Kentucky Division of Air Quality
Ambient Air Monitoring Network

In accordance with 40 C.F.R. 58.10(a)(1), the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet will make the annual monitoring network plan available for public inspection for at least 30 days prior to submission to the U.S. EPA.  The annual monitoring network plan details the operation and location of ambient air monitors operated by the Kentucky Division for Air Quality, Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District, and the National Park Service.

The public comment period relating to the annual monitoring network will begin May 18, 2015, and will conclude on June 17, 2015.  Copies of the annual monitoring plan are available for public inspection at the locations listed below.  Any individual requiring copies may submit a request to the Division for Air Quality in writing, by telephone, by FAX, or by electronic mail.  Requests for copies should be directed to the contact person.  In addition, an electronic version of the proposed annual monitoring network plan and relevant attachments can be downloaded from the Division for Air Quality’s website at:

Ozone Gardens

Signs of ozone damage on a tulip poplar, courtesy of Robert Anderson, Bugwood, UGA

Late spring is the perfect time to start a garden filled with ozone-sensitive plants and natives that are beneficial to pollinators.

Your garden can tell you about the air you breathe because, like people, plants need clean air, too. Some plants can even tell you when they have been exposed to air pollution. With a few carefully selected plants, some water and sunshine, you can create your own ozone garden that will help you learn more about the air quality in your neighborhood.

EPA Revises Fine Particle Designations for Five Kentucky Counties

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has revised air quality designations for fine particle pollution in five Kentucky counties. Air monitoring data demonstrates improved air quality in Campbell, Kenton, Boone, Jefferson and Bullitt counties.

“Air Quality in Kentucky continues to improve steadily,” said Kentucky Division for Air Quality (DAQ) director Sean Alteri.  “The most recent data demonstrates that the Louisville and Kentucky metropolitan statistical areas are in compliance with federal air quality standards for fine particulate matter.”

Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection Recognized as Leader in Fleet Sustainability

The Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has been recognized by the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition’s (KCFC) Green Fleets of the Bluegrass Program.  DEP received the leadership award at KCFC’s annual meeting on March 23, 2015 in Louisville.

In 2014, the Department added two hybrid vehicles to the fleet, bringing the hybrid fleet total to 27.  In 2011, the average fuel economy for DEP was 17 MPG. DEP’s average fleet fuel economy now stands at 20 MPG with the goal of 25.5 MPG by the year 2025.

Division for Air Quality’s job doesn’t stop for winter weather

You’ve probably seen them as you drive down the road: small buildings topped with strange-looking contraptions, surrounded by a fence.  These are Kentucky’s air monitoring stations, and they are essential tools for telling us how clean our air is.

The Kentucky Division for Air Quality (DAQ) operates a network of these monitoring stations across the state, each with its own set of air sampling equipment to detect air pollutants. But the stations don’t run themselves; it’s up to DAQ staff to visit the stations regularly, to collect and replace filters and air samples and to make sure the equipment is working properly.  And their job doesn’t stop for bad weather.

DEP Annual Green Fleets Report Shows Progress

The results are in: Over the past year, the Department for Environmental Protection (DEP) continues to improve its state-owned vehicle fleet performance.  DEP is a member of Green Fleets of the Bluegrass, a voluntary program that aims to improve the environmental performance of vehicle fleets across Kentucky by reducing petroleum fuel use. Green Fleets is administered by the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition (KCFC).

According to the annual Green Fleets survey, submitted by the Division for Air Quality this week, the average fuel economy of DEP’s fleet rose from 19.0 to 19.79 miles per gallon in 2014.  The increased fuel economy is the result of strategic fleet management including:

On Dec. 17, 2014, EPA published in the Federal Register its proposed revision to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone

The EPA is proposing to revise the primary ozone standard to a level within the range of 0.065 to 0.070 parts per million (ppm), and to revise the secondary standard to within the range of 0.065 to 0.070 ppm.

Written comments on this proposed rule must be received by March 17, 2015. Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– OAR–2008–0699, to the EPA by one of the following methods:

EPA Proposes Revised Ozone Standard

On Nov. 26, EPA proposed revising the ozone standards, recommending a range of 65 to 70 parts per billion (ppb) for both the primary and secondary standards. The current ozone standard is set at 75 ppb.

Ozone is the primary component of smog. It forms in the lower atmosphere when emissions of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds “cook” in the sun.  Emissions from sources such as transportation, industry, power plants, and products such as solvents and paints are among the major man-made sources of ozone-forming pollutants.

Why did EPA release a new draft standard now?