Midlands Air Quality- About Ozone
Good Up High, Bad Nearby
Ozone in the upper atmosphere is a beneficial and protective layer
around the earth, but ground-level ozone is harmful air pollution
that threatens our health, quality of life, and the region’s
economic prosperity. Ground-level ozone is created when sunlight
reacts with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOX).
Reducing these emissions is necessary to reduce ground-level ozone
formation.
Ozone Standard
The Clean Air Act gives the EPA authority to establish national
ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). In the Greater Columbia and
Central Midlands region, the primary pollutant of concern is
ground-level ozone (aka “smog”). As of now, the Greater Columbia
area and Midlands Region remain in attainment of the NAAQS
The ozone standard provides increased protection to the public,
especially children and other at-risk populations, against a wide
range of ozone induced health effects.
The national ozone standard is an 8-hr averaged standard and is
calculated by averaging data over a 3-year time period. This average
is taken from the
4th highest 8-hour average at each monitoring station. A
violation occurs when the 3-year average of the 4th highest value is
greater than .075 parts per million (ppm).
Areas not meeting the standard are not automatically designated
non-attainment, rather an official course of action must occur.
Specific requirements on how areas will meet the 8-hr standard are
developed. All Central Midlands counties are currently in attainment.
Click Here
for more information concerning the
Consequences of a Nonattainment
Designation.
Local, national and even international TV meteorologists report an
Air Quality Index. This index provides an easy-to-understand way to
explain the quality of the air. Anything below a 100 Air Quality
Index (AQI) is considered 'healthy' and and AQI above 100 is
considered 'unhealthy for certain groups'. The ozone AQI is based on
the new 8-hr standard. When the AQI is above 100, it is an
indication of an exceedance of the air quality standards.
Health Effects of Ozone
Ozone exposure may lead to:
·
Shortness of Breath
·
Chest pain when inhaling deeply
·
Wheezing and Coughing
Long-term, repeated
exposure to high levels of ozone may lead to large reductions in
lung function, inflammation of the lung lining, and increased
respiratory discomfort. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
estimates that 5% - 20% of the total U.S. population has a
susceptibility to the harmful effects of ozone air pollution.
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