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Ground level ozone (sometimes called smog) is formed from automobile, industrial, and other pollutions by chemical reactions when there is bright sunshine with high temperatures. The highest ozone concentrations usually occur between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. from May through September.
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality calls an “Air Action” when we’re forecasting exceptionally high concentrations of ground-level ozone. Air pollution from vehicles accounts for more than half of the air pollution along the Wasatch Front. By simply parking your vehicle for one day, the average driver would keep just over ¼ pound of pollution out of the air. While that may not seem like much, if every driver along the Wasatch Front would park his/her vehicle for one day per week, emissions would decrease by 125 tons that week.
If you simply can’t get out of your car, there are other things you can do. For suggestions, click here.
What the Numbers Mean
Ozone is reported in parts per million or ppm. The health based standard is 0.08 ppm and is designed to protect against longer-term exposure to ozone that can cause ongoing health effects.
An area that does not meet either standard is in danger of being designated a “non attainment area” by EPA. Requirements under the Clean Air Act become more restrictive as a result.
A mathematical formula is used to determine if the ozone standard is being met. The highest eight-hour results for each day of an ozone season are collected. The fourth highest number for a given year is pulled out. This result is averaged with the fourth high for the preceding two years to arrive at a single number. If that number is above 0.08, the area is designated as nonattainment The Averaging process will identify on-going problems rather than unusual events that may cause unusually high ozone levels. The federal Clean Air Act then requires that the State develop a State Implementation Plan - or SIP - detailing how ozone will be controlled.
Ozone can irritate the respiratory system, causing coughing, throat irritation, and/or an uncomfortable sensation in the chest. It can lower your resistance to diseases such as colds and pneumonia. Those who are most sensitive to its impacts are the very young, the elderly, and those with pre-existing breathing problems. People with respiratory diseases whose lungs are more vulnerable to ozone may experience health effects earlier and at lower ozone levels than less sensitive individuals. Ozone also makes people more sensitive to allergens, the most common triggers of asthma attacks. Even healthy adults doing heavy exercise or manual labor outdoors may experience unhealthy effects during high ozone periods. This is because, during physical activity, ozone penetrates deeper into the parts of the lungs that are more vulnerable to injury.
Studies have shown that ozone can inflame and damage the lining of the lungs. Within a few days, the damaged cells are shed and replaced—much like the skin peels after a sunburn. However, if this type of inflammation happens repeatedly over a long time period, lung tissue may become permanently scarred, resulting in less lung elasticity, permanent loss of lung function, and a lower quality of life.
If you have any questions please contact your health care provider.
Sponsored by the Utah Department of Environmental Quality