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1 . 0 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND Protecting the environment and the quality of the air we breathe is an important goal for individuals , industry , organizations , and government agencies . Clean air is a national , state , and local goal , the importance of which is well recognized . In the Report of the Shaping Orange County s Future, the Environment & Resources Protection Committee recognized the importance of maintaining the current level of air quality in Orange County and setting goals to protect the health of people who live, work, and visit in Orange County . The Orange County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC ) has demonstrated their concern for protection of the environment and air quality in many actions that they have taken. In 1997 , the BOCC approved creation of the Commission for the Environment (CfE) . The mandate of the Commission is to advise the BOCC on matters affecting the environment, with particular emphasis on environmental protection . The CfE established a number of committees , including an Air Quality Committee . In 1998 , the BOCC further demonstrated their concern for the environment by approving the formation of the Environment and Resource Conservation Department (ERCD ) . To assist the BOCC in identifying issues of concern to its constituents with respect to environmental quality , the air quality committee of the CfE has prepared this report . The report summarizes available information on air quality collected from sources from the State of North Carolina Division of Air Quality . It also includes goals and recommendations for actions that may maintain and/or improve air quality in the County . 2 . 0 STATUS OF AIR QUALITY AND AIR CONTAMINANT SOURCES IN THE COUNTY Under the Clean Air Act, passed by Congress in 1970 , and amended in 1990 , the U . S . Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets and enforces air pollutant limits on sources such as power plants and industrial facilities . Although the Clean Air Act is a federal law, much of the work to carry out the act is performed by the states . Each state has a State Implementation Plan ( SIP) that describes how the state will meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act. The federal law allows the states to have stronger pollution controls . The states are responsible for permitting sources and for monitoring air quality to determine compliance with the Clean Air Act . 2 . 1 Air Contaminants of Concern The Clean Air Act establishes standards for a set of pollutants termed "criteria" pollutants , which are listed in Table 2 - 1 . A primary national standard has been set that protects human health . A secondary standard is intended to prevent environmental and property damage . The table also lists the North Carolina Standard . A geographic area that meets or does better than the primary standard is called an attainment areas areas that don ' t meet the standard are non- attainment areas . Non- attainment areas may be required to take special actions to reduce 1