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EPA ISSUES AIR QUALITY WARNING FOR HOLIDAY WEEKEND

Release Date: 07/03/1997
Contact Information: Leo Kay, EPA Press Office, (617) 918-4154

BOSTON -- After a month of record ground level ozone exceedances, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends that New England citizens limit outdoor activities and refrain from strenuous exercise on days when air quality is predicted to be unhealthy.

There were five exceedance days of the ground-level ozone standard in New England last June, compared with none during June of 1996. Summer officially began June 21, with the first unhealthy levels of air pollution recorded along coastal New Hampshire and Maine, as well as in western Massachusetts and in several locations throughout Connecticut. Rhode Island and Vermont have not experienced any ozone exceedances this summer.

"This past week's sultry weather showed that the dog days of summer are upon us and that means increasing air-quality health concerns. As we head into this Fourth of July holiday weekend, it is important for New Englanders to exercise care when spending time outdoors at the beach, playing ball at the park or even just barbecuing in the yard," said EPA-New England Administrator John P. DeVillars.

Ground-level ozone, known as smog, is a respiratory irritant that causes health problems by damaging lung tissue and reducing lung function. Exposure to ground-level ozone causes coughing, headaches, nausea, and may cause premature aging of the lung. Poor air quality can affect everyone, but the elderly and people with respiratory problems are particularly at risk.

Ground-level ozone, known as smog, is formed when volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and oxides of nitrogen interact in the presence of sunlight. In addition to automobiles, major contributors to the ozone problem are fossil-fuel fired electricity generation stations, gasoline stations and distribution facilities, chemical manufacturers, fuel burning equipment [boilers], and industrial coating operations.

"Particularly this summer with some of New England's nuclear power plants out of commission, as the summer heats up and the demand for electricity increases, fossil fuel-fired electricity generation stations will have to work harder to provide electricity," DeVillars said. "Because these power plants contribute significantly to air pollution, reducing your electricity use will in turn help reduce that pollution."

New Englanders can help reduce ground-level ozone formation in order to prevent future bad air quality days through a variety of activities:

• Since automobiles are a major contributor to ground-level ozone, try to use public transportation, bike or walk where possible;
• When it's imperative that people drive, car pool and plan trips carefully to avoid excess driving;
• Refuel your vehicle at night to minimize gasoline vapors during the heat of the day;
• Keep your vehicle well maintained;
• Use energy wisely; and,
• Purchase energy efficient lighting and appliances.

The ground-level ozone information page can be located at: https://www.epa.gov/region01/eco/ozone

At this site, a color map will be posted each day showing the predicted air quality rating -- "good," "moderate," or "unhealthful" -- for the following day for areas throughout New England, New York and New Jersey.