Air Quality Issues and Answers

What is “ozone” and what causes it?

Ozone is actually three atoms of oxygen (chemical formula 0₃)
There are really two types of ozone:

• “Good” ozone, known as the “ozone layer,” protects the earth from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. This is called stratospheric ozone. When you hear about scientists working to save the ozone layer, it’s because it provides this much-needed protection.

• “Bad” ozone, commonly known as smog, is at ground-level in many urban areas. On hot, sunny days when there is little or no wind, pollutants from vehicle emissions collect in a stagnant air mass and react in the strong sunlight to form ground-level ozone. Other gasoline-powered items, such as lawnmowers, chainsaws and weed whackers, add to the problem. Most small gasoline-powered engines do not include pollution control devices. As a result, using this type of equipment can add substantially to the problem.

What is "particle pollution" and what causes it?

Particle pollution consists of the solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air.   Individually, these particles/droplets are invisible to the naked eye, but collectively, they can appear as clouds or a fog-like haze. This tiny matter, less than 2.5 microns in diameter, is also known as PM 2.5, and can get deep into people's lungs.   Particle pollution comes from many different sources including wood burning, diesel and gasoline-powered engines, factories and power plants.

How does air pollution affect me?

Ground-level ozone (smog) is bad for your health. It is particularly harmful to young children, the elderly, and people with respiratory problems. Ground-level ozone irritates mucous membranes and causes coughing and wheezing. If you have breathing problems such as asthma or allergies, it is recommended that you stay indoors when ground-level ozone concentrations are high.

Particle pollution can damage lung tissue, aggravate asthma, bronchitis and heart diseases - even cause premature death.

How do I know if air pollution concentrations are high?

The Regional Air Pollution Control Agency (RAPCA) monitors the Miami Valley’s air pollution concentration levels. When there is a potential for high concentrations of air pollution, an “Air Pollution Advisory” may be issued. You’ll be alerted by the local media to take action to help reduce air pollution. If you prefer, you can receive e-mail notifications when an “Air Pollution Advisory” notice has been issued. Register for this FREE notification service.

What is asthma and how does air pollution affect it?

Asthma is a lung disease. It can be life threatening. Asthma is a growing threat to children and adults. Children make up 25 percent of the population and comprise 40 percent of the asthma cases. The average adult breathes 13,000 liters of air per day. Children breathe even more air per pound of body weight than adults.

Because children's respiratory systems are still developing, they are more susceptible than adults to environmental threats.

Fourteen Americans die every day from asthma, a rate three times greater than just 20 years ago. African-Americans die at a rate six times that of Caucasians. For asthmatics having an attack, the pathways of the lungs become so narrow that breathing becomes akin to sucking a thick milk shake through a straw.

Ground-level ozone and particle pollution can aggravate asthma, causing more asthma attacks, increased use of medication, more medical treatment and more visits to hospital emergency clinics.

 

What is the Air Quality Index?

The U.S. Enviromental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed the Air Quality Index, or AQI, for reporting the levels of common air pollutants. The chart makes it easier for people to understand the health significance of air pollution levels.

For more information visit EPA’s web site at: www.epa.gov/airnow

Air Quality	Air Quality Index	Protect Your Health
Good	0-50	No health impacts are expected when air quality is in this range.
Moderate	51-100	Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups	101-150	Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
Unhealthy	151-200	Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
Very Unhealthy (Alert)	201-300	Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid all outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit outdoor exertion

Miami Valley Air, the SMOGinator, Ride$hare and the Miami Valley Air Quality Program all sponsored by the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission.

Questions, comments? Please contact airquality@mvrpc.org

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