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Staff reports on sensors, burn ban effects and American Lung Association ranking
Summary
Agency staff briefed the council on community purple air sensors, a recent burn ban that reduced burning complaints, and said the American Lung Association’s annual report ranked Asheville best for 24-hour PM2.5; staff noted methodological variations and daily reporting adjustments.
Agency staff updated the advisory council on recent air-quality work, including sensor outreach, a temporary burn ban, and an external report that named Asheville the cleanest U.S. city for short-term particulate matter.
The staff member described outreach during Air Quality Awareness Week and community deployment of purple air monitors. She said the burn ban “really helped, cut down on burning complaints,” and staff review of daily emailed air-quality reports sometimes requires manual correction when the forecast does not reflect real-time conditions.
Staff also cited the American Lung Association’s annual air-quality report. "The American Lung Association came out with their annual air quality report, and they named Asheville as the first cleanest city in the country for short term particulate matter," the agency official said, adding that the association shares draft reports with national partners and may apply different statistical tweaks in its public ranking.
Council members welcomed the recognition but noted prior years when local air quality fared worse. Staff said they will continue outreach to facilities and community sensor programs and will follow up with the council if the MSD permit renewal (an item pulled from the agenda for further EPA coordination) returns for action.
The meeting recorded no formal votes on air-quality policy. The council set follow-up steps for outreach and monitoring as the agency proceeds with transition planning.
