Wisconsin Now Meets Latest Sulfur Dioxide Air Quality Standard

Tuesday, January 18th, 2022 -- 9:00 AM

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the Rhinelander area will be formally redesignated to attainment of the most recent federal air quality standard for sulfur dioxide.

Analyses of air monitoring and modeling data show that air concentrations of sulfur dioxide in the area meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standard set to protect human health and the environment.

The Rhinelander area also meets all other standards for all air pollutants regulated under the National Ambient Air Quality Standard. This designation officially recognizes that the air quality in the Rhinelander area is meeting this health-based air quality standard.

As a result, the entire state of Wisconsin now meets the latest sulfur dioxide air quality standard. Sulfur dioxide is an air pollutant regulated under both the federal Clean Air Act and Wisconsin state law.

The largest source of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere is the burning of fossil fuels by power plants and other industrial facilities. Exposure to sulfur dioxide can harm the human respiratory system and make breathing difficult.

Sulfur dioxide emissions can also damage foliage and crops, form acid rain and increase haze. Based on monitored air quality data, a portion of Oneida County near Rhinelander was designated as nonattainment of the sulfur dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standard in 2013.

Following this designation, the DNR’s Air Management program worked closely with the Ahlstrom-Munksjö Rhinelander paper mill, the facility primarily responsible for sulfur dioxide emissions in the area, to identify and implement new emissions control measures.

As a result of these actions, the monitored sulfur dioxide concentrations decreased by over 75%, and the area’s air quality began meeting the National Ambient Air Quality Standard in 2018.

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