At it’s June meeting, the Pima Association of Governments’ Regional Council adopted an air quality plan for carbon monoxide for the Tucson Region. The Carbon Monoxide Limited Maintenance Plan has been submitted to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality for approval and submission to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by July 10.

Once approved, the revised plan which was originally approved by the EPA in 2000 will ensure maintenance of the carbon monoxide health standard in the region through the year 2020. The renewal of the plan is a requirement of the federal Clean Air Act.

Several of the measures in the plan assist in reducing ozone pollution, which can reach unhealthful levels and are of concern. In the 1970s, the Tucson region frequently violated the EPA’s 8-hour carbon monoxide national ambient air quality standard. However since 1984, no violations have been recorded, mainly due to cleaner cars, equipment and fuels.