EPA has asked Maine to set a standard for existing sources by July, 1980. 

 This standard will affect paper and pulp mills (personal communication from 

 John Chandler and David Dumas, Department of Environmental Protection, 

 Augusta, ME; August, 1979). 



Nitrogen oxides . Nitrogen oxides (NC^ ) are products of combustion (e.g., 

 from automobiles and furnaces) and to a lesser extent commercial chemical 

 production. When oxidized in the atmosphere, nitrogen oxides produce nitric 

 acids, which contribute to the low pH or acidity of rain. Nitrogen oxides 

 are emitted in lesser quantity than sulfur oxides. The entire State of Maine, 

 including the coastal zone, has attained safe levels of for N0 X . In fact, 

 the State has no standard for NO , since approaching the Federal standard has 

 not been difficult. The EPA expects no N0 X increases in Maine in the near 

 future (personal communication from Norman Beloin, Environmental Protection 

 Agency, Lexington, MA; July, 1979). Nitrogen dioxide can be transported over 

 long distances. 



Carbon monoxide . Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas produced by combustion. 

 The greatest source of carbon monoxide is the combustion products of gasoline 

 engines of automobiles. Carbon monoxide is a localized pollutant, most toxic 

 in the immediate vicinity where it is produced, particularly in areas of heavy 

 traffic and restricted air flow such as commercial areas, intersections, and 

 interchanges on specific streets. 



Within the coastal zone only parts of Bangor presently have nonattainment 

 status with regard to carbon monoxide (Maine Department of Environmental 

 Protection 1979). In Bangor, violations of the 8-hour standard have totaled 

 159 from 1974 through 1977 in the downtown area (Maine Department of 

 Environmental Protection 1979). Portions of Augusta and Portland may have 

 unsafe levels of CO, because of the high volume of automobile traffic in 

 these cities (both cities currently are not monitored for CO). High volumes 

 of traffic in summer compound air quality problems. 



Particulates . Particulates are defined as particles in the air, 

 including soot, mists, and sprays. Particulates may be nontoxic materials, 

 such as dirt and dust, or toxic materials, such as lead, asbestos, 

 hydrocarbons (which may be carcinogenic), suspended sulfates, nitrates, and, 

 possibly, radioactive elements. Particulates are measured as total suspended 

 particulates (TSP) and the major sources are road dust from traffic, rubber 

 tire wear, unpaved parking lots, tailpipe emissions, construction/demolition, 

 smelters, fertilizing processes, and power plants (U.S. Environmental 

 Protection Agency 1979). Emissions from wood-burning stoves also contribute 

 an unknown amount of particulate material to the atmosphere. 



In Maine, five areas exist that have nonattainment status and four areas that 

 are unclassif iable for particulate emissions. Three of the nonattainment 

 areas, Augusta, Rockland/Thomaston, and Bangor/Brewer , are within the 

 characterization area. Bath is unclassified with regard to TSP. 



Ozone . Ozone is not emitted directly into the atmosphere but results 

 from a reaction between nitrogen dioxide and hydrocarbons in the presence of 

 sunlight. Hydrocarbons, which are emitted as exhaust fumes from motor 

 vehicles and from industrial sources, are the most significant contributors to 



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