Plain Language Key to Air Toxics Education
Published on May 29, 2025
As Colorado moves forward with its new toxic air contaminant program, Weld County is continuing to advocate for strong public education around air toxics. At an informational hearing in February, the Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) heard from state officials, health experts and local leaders — including Weld County’s Air Quality Policy Analyst, Dr. Annareli Morales.
The hearing focused on the development of health-based standards for five priority toxic air contaminants (PTACs) identified by the state:
- Formaldehyde: found in household products and building materials
- Benzene: from vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions
- Hydrogen sulfide: from natural decay and industry
- Ethylene oxide: used to sterilize medical equipment
- Hexavalent chromium: from industrial processes like chrome plating
These health-based standards will help determine how the state evaluates air toxics in permitting and public health reviews. The Air Pollution Control Division (APCD) has been working with a panel of experts since early 2024 to help shape those standards.
Weld County’s commitment to keeping public informed
In her testimony, Dr. Morales stressed the importance of plain language and providing clear explanations on how the state plans to use the health-based standards, explaining concepts like cancer vs. non-cancer risk or short-term vs. long-term exposure, and show how those health risks are calculated. “Health-based standards can be used for permitting of industrial sources of emissions and to identify potential areas of health concern for further investigation,” said Dr. Morales. “The APCD needs to be clear as to its purpose.”
Dr. Morales will lead a new air toxics workgroup through the Regional Air Monitoring and Messaging (RAMM) group to help bridge the gap between science and public understanding. She emphasized the need to explain air toxics in plain, clear language so residents, and even public health professionals, can understand how these substances affect health. “The basics of air toxics like exposure, toxicity, and risk can be challenging to understand, even for someone with a science background,” she said. “We have to make sure the public understands what these standards mean and how they’re being used.”
What’s Next?
The APCD plans to present a formal proposal to the AQCC in May 2025 and a rulemaking hearing is expected in September 2025. Weld County will continue to participate and advocate for community-focused solutions. You can view APCD’s presentation and register for events at the APCD website.