Pollution released into the atmosphere does not stay localized at the point of release, but spreads over large areas. Since the sources of air pollution within Colts Neck are relatively few, the amounts of pollutants present in the air are determined primarily by sources outside the Township. Unfortunately, since there are numerous sources of air pollution in the New York-New Jersey-Philadelphia regions, the fact that Colts Neck is a rural area does not insure low air pollution levels.
The automobile is, by far, the largest source of air pollution in our area, followed by space heating, power generation, industrial processes and refuse disposal.
The types of air pollutants emitted are mostly carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. Carbon monoxide, a product of incomplete combustion, is a colorless and odorless gas. Sulfur oxides are produced during the combustion of sulfur-containing fuels, primarily coal and fuel oil. When sulfur oxides combine with water vapor and oxygen in the air, the result is a mist of sulfuric acid which is highly corrosive and irritating. Sulfur oxides can also yellow the leaves of plants, corrode certain stones and metals, irritate the upper respiratory tract and injure lung tissue.
Most of the polluting hydrocarbons are discharged into the air by the incomplete combustion of gasoline in automobiles. Some of these hydrocarbons are known to be carcinogenic (i.e., cancer-producing); others can contribute to smog and thus produce decreased visibility, eye irritation, respiratory problems and deterioration of materials. Nitrogen oxides are produced when combustion takes place at high temperatures, such as in automobile cylinders. These oxides can irritate lung tissue, decrease visibility, harm vegetation and contribute to the corrosion of materials.
Particulates are pollutants which are emitted in the form of solid particles or liquid droplets. They include smoke, fume, aerosols, dust and mist. The effects of particulates depend to a large extent on the size of the particles. The mucous membranes of our respiratory systems can filter out only the larger particles. About half of the particulate pollutants are small enough to reach deeply into the parts of the lung that are unprotected by mucous, and those small particles often carry with them such harmful chemicals as sulfur dioxide.
While we know the effects of large amounts of air pollutants on human health, the consequences of small quantities is subject to debate and uncertainty. Many scientists are engaged in research aimed at determining these effects. Based on the best available information, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has established primary and secondary standards for air quality. The primary standards "concern the minimum level of air quality that is necessary to keep people from becoming ill... secondary standards are aimed at the promotion of public welfare and the prevention of damage to animals, plant life and property."
The New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection maintains a continuous air monitoring network throughout the State. The air monitoring station nearest to Colts Neck is in Freehold, near the intersection of Court St. and West Main St. This location is a "center city commercial area" with heavy automobile traffic. The concentration of carbon monoxide at the Freehold Air Monitoring Station has, in the past (e.g., 1971-72), frequently exceeded the EPA primary and secondary standards. However, since the major source of carbon monoxide is automobile exhaust emissions, and since the monitoring station is located at a point of heavy traffic, it is probable that the concentration of carbon monoxide in Colts Neck's air has consistently been below the EPA's primary and secondary standards. Although, since the early 1970's, the air quality in Freehold with respect to carbon monoxide has shown a substantial improvement, the monthly average concentrations were still exceeding the National Ambient Air Quality standards as of 1980.
The concentration of suspended particulates have also occasionally exceeded the EPA primary and secondary standards in the past. The particulate levels have, however, been decreasing at all three Monmouth County monitoring stations. The Asbury Park station has consistently been recording the highest particulate levels in the county. In 1971, for instance, the annual geometric mean level exceeded the EPA primary standard by a small amount. By 1973, this level dropped by one-third to below the EPA's secondary standard and has remained there through 1980. The particulates are due primarily to busses, trucks, automobiles, incinerators, industrial processes and coal burning power plants.
The levels of sulfur dioxide in Monmouth County have consistently been below the EPA standards. No data is available for the levels of other pollutants such as hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. Ozone levels at the Asbury Park monitoring station have frequently exceeded the national standard.
The Federal Clean Air Act of 1970 set up a system of national air quality standards and called for a roll-back of auto pollution levels. In 1972 New Jersey passed an Air Pollution Control Code designed to further reduce air pollution levels in our State. These two laws, if properly enforced, should ensure that the air quality in Colts Neck will continue to improve and that the air will be relatively healthy to breathe.
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References:
1. 1980 Environmental Quality Index, Monmouth County N.J.; prepared by the Monmouth County Environmental Council, Aug 81.
2. Air Pollution in New Jersey, American Lung Association of New Jersey, 1600 Route 22 East, Union, NJ 07083, 1989.