New England States
Experienced Fewer Smog Days During Recent Summer
Contact: David Deegan, 617-918-1017
For Immediate Release: September 30, 2004; Release # 04-09-20
BOSTON – As the 2004 summer ozone season comes to an end,
the EPA today confirmed that New Englanders experienced fewer poor
air quality days this year than in 2003. Based on preliminary data
collected between May and September, there were 13 days when ozone
monitors in New England recorded concentrations above levels considered
healthy. By contrast, in 2003 a total of 17 unhealthy ozone days
occurred.
The number of unhealthy ozone days in each state this summer were
as follows: Eight days in Massachusetts (compared to 11 in 2003
and 30 in 2002); Six days in Connecticut (14 in 2003 and 36 in
2002); Four days in Rhode Island (10 in 2003 and 17 in 2002); Four
days in New Hampshire (one in 2003 and 13 in 2002); One day in
Maine (five in 2003 and 17 in 2002); and One day in Vermont (none
in 2003 and five in 2002).
The reduced number of unhealthy days during both 2003 and 2004
was directly related to a decrease in the number of hot, sunny
days during those summers, as well as the longer term decline in
the air pollution emissions that causes ozone smog. Ground-level
ozone, the main ingredient of smog, is unhealthy when average concentrations
exceed 0.08 parts per million over an 8-hour period. The formation
of ground-level ozone smog is exacerbated by sunlight and high
temperatures.
Over the long-term, New England has experienced a decreasing number
of ozone days, and peak ozone concentrations have decreased significantly
over the last 30 years. In 1983, New England had 90 unhealthy days,
compared with 43 days in 2002, and 17 and 13 unhealthy days during
the past two cool summers, respectively. Overall, ozone concentrations
in New England have decreased by more than 20 percent since 1980.
“When we look back to the air quality conditions a generation
ago, we can feel proud of the advances we’ve made in reducing
pollution,” said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator
of EPA’s New England regional office. “That we still
experience unhealthy ozone days during cool summers emphasizes
that our efforts for cleaner cars and fuels, and our commitment
to reducing power plant emissions, must continue.”
Ground-level ozone (smog) is formed when volatile organic compounds
and oxides of nitrogen chemically react in the presence of sunlight.
Cars, trucks and buses give off the majority of the pollution that
makes smog. Fossil fuel burning at electric power plants, which
run at high capacities on hot days, gives off significant amounts
of smog-making pollution. Gas stations, print shops, household
products like paints and cleaners, as well as gasoline-powered
lawn and garden equipment, also contribute to smog formation.
Exposure to elevated ozone levels can cause serious breathing
problems, and aggravate asthma and other pre-existing lung diseases.
It can also make people who are vulnerable more susceptible to
respiratory infection. Studies have shown an association between
ozone levels in the outdoor air and increased hospital admissions
for respiratory causes, such as asthma. Ozone air pollution in
the northeastern United States has been associated with as much
as 10 to 20 percent of all summertime respiratory hospital visits
and admissions.
In recent years, EPA has taken a number of steps to further reduce
air pollution and implement strong, health-protective standards
for different air pollutants. Stringent emission standards for
passenger vehicles and new requirements for gasoline have been
established. Beginning with the 2004 model-year, new cars, pick-up
trucks and sport utility vehicles are 77 to 95 percent cleaner
than vehicles already on the road. EPA has also set stringent standards
for heavy duty trucks and buses. Beginning in 2004, heavy duty
trucks and buses are emitting 40 percent less nitrogen oxides (NOx).
In 2007, these vehicles will be required to meet even more stringent
standards and use cleaner fuel that will reduce both particulate
matter and NOx emissions by more than 90 percent.
Last May, EPA adopted tough standards for new nonroad diesel engines
used in construction, agricultural, and industrial equipment, as
well as the fuel used in these vehicles. The combination of cleaner
engines and fuel will reduce pollution from these engines by 90
percent starting in 2008. EPA also has set emission standards for
lawn and garden equipment, marine engines and locomotives.
In January 2004, EPA proposed the Clean Air Interstate Rule, which
focuses on states whose sulfur dioxide and NOx emissions are significantly
contributing to fine particle and ozone pollution problems in other
downwind states. The proposed Clean Air Interstate Rule covers
29 states in the Eastern U.S. and the District of Columbia. By
2015, this rule is expected to reduce NOx emissions by approximately
1.8 million tons, and virtually eliminate acid rain.
The Agency has also taken aggressive steps to quickly reduce pollution
from power plants in the eastern United States. Nineteen eastern
states and the District of Columbia adopted and implemented the
NOx Budget Trading Program which established emission caps on the
amount of nitrogen oxide that can be emitted from power plants
and other large combustion sources during the ozone season (May
through September each year). These emission caps were expected
to reduced NOx emissions by about 600,000 tons this year.
Additional improvements in air quality are expected as states
begin to implement plans to meet the new 8-hour health-based ozone
standard. The first step in this process occurred in April when
EPA formally designated areas that are not complying with this
standard. All of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, as
well as parts of New Hampshire and Maine, are out of compliance.
States with these nonattainment areas must submit plans by 2007
that will outline how they will meet the 8-hour ozone standard.
A map showing the 8-hour ozone nonattainment areas in New England
can be found at: www.epa.gov/ne/airquality/nattainm.html .
Although the 2004 ozone season has ended, pollution from small
particles in the air is a year-round concern. The daily air quality
index forecast will continue to be available at www.epa.gov/ne/aqi/.
New Englanders can also sign up at this address to receive air
quality alerts. These alerts are issued by e-mail or fax, whenever
necessary, to notify program participants when high concentrations
of ground-level ozone or fine particles are recorded, or are predicted
to occur, in their area.
Historical charts of unhealthy air days from 1983 through 2004
are available for each state on EPA New England’s web site
at: www.epa.gov/ne/airquality/standard.html.
A preliminary list of the unhealthy readings recorded this summer
by date and monitor location, and corresponding air quality maps
for each day, can be found at: www.epa.gov/ne/airquality/o3exceed-04.html.
METADATA
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TITLE: New England States
Experienced Fewer Smog Days During Recent Summer
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ABSTRACT: BOSTON – As
the 2004 summer ozone season comes to an end, the EPA today
confirmed that New Englanders experienced fewer poor air
quality days this year than in 2003. Based on preliminary
data collected between May and September, there were 13 days
when ozone monitors in New England recorded concentrations
above levels considered healthy. By contrast, in 2003 a total
of 17 unhealthy ozone days occurred.
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PURPOSE: Public Information
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ORIGINATOR: Regional Administrator's
Office
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PUBLICATION DATE:
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ACCESS CONSTRAINTS: N/A
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AVAILABILITY: N/A
a. Distributor:
b. Order Process:
c. Technical Prerequisites:
d. Automated Linkage:
e. Downloadable Files:
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COVERAGE: N/A
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TIME PERIOD OF COVERAGE: N/A
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POINT OF CONTACT FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION:
Peyton Fleming
Office of the Regional Administrator
EPA New England
1 Congress Street, Suite 1100 (RAA)
Boston, MA 02114-2023
(617) 918-1008
David Deegan
Office of the Regional Administrator
EPA New England
1 Congress Street, Suite 1100 (RAA)
Boston, MA 02114-2023
(617) 918-1017
Stacy Greendlinger,
Office of the Regional Administrator
EPA New England
1 Congress Street, Suite 1100 (RAA)
Boston, MA 02114-2023
617-918-1403
Alice Kaufman
Office of Site Remediation & Restoration
EPA New England
1 Congress Street, Suite 1100 (RAA)
Boston, MA 02114-2023
(617) 918-1064
Andrew Spejewski
Office of the Regional Administrator
EPA New England
1 Congress Street, Suite 1100 (RAA)
Boston, MA 02114-2023
(617) 918-1014
Margot Perez-Sullivan
Office of the Regional Administrator
EPA New England
1 Congress Street, Suite 1100 (RAA)
Boston, MA 02114-2023
(617) 918-1060
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RESPONSIBLE PARTY:
Peyton Fleming, EPA Press Office, (617) 918-1008
Office of the Regional Administrator
David Deegan, EPA Press Office, (617) 918-1017
Office of the Regional Administrator
Stacy Greendlinger, EPA Press Office, 617-918-1403
Office of the Regional Administrator
Alice Kaufman, EPA Press Office, (617) 918-1064
Office of Site Remediation & Restoration
Andrew Spejewski, EPA Press Office, (617) 918-1014
Office of the Regional Administrator
Margot Perez-Sullivan, EPA Press Office, (617) 918-1060
Office of the Regional Administrator
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DATE OF CREATION:
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AGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
N/A
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EXPIRATION DATE:
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