SMOG

What is it?
Smog, also called “ground-level ozone,” forms when the nitrogen oxides released by cars, power plants and other sources of combustion, and the volatile organic compounds released by cars, gas stations, oil refineries, and other sources react in the presence of sunlight to form ozone (O3). Ozone, a highly reactive gas which harms living organisms, is the primary ingredient in smog. In cities, as vehicular traffic increases with the morning commute to work, nitrogen oxides from exhaust mix with volatile organic compounds. At noon, the sun is at is highest point spurring the chemical reaction that creates ozone, and ozone levels peak in the early afternoon. Ozone levels are typically highest on hot summer days.

Why is it bad?
Smog can irritate eyes and respiratory tracts, causing coughing, chest pain, and shortness of breath at high concentrations and poses danger to people with asthma or other respiratory aliments. Ozone has been found to damage plant tissues, inhibiting photosynthesis and making plants less resistant to diseases, pests, drought, and frost.

What areas are affected?
According to the American Lung Association’s State of the Air 2002 report, Richmond County (Staten Island) is one of the worst counties in the nation in terms of ozone pollution. In addition, Bronx, Kings (Brooklyn), Nassau, New York (Manhattan), Orange, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Westchester, Dutchess, and Putnam counties are listed as severe non-attainment zones of ozone air quality standards by the Environmental Protection Agency. The Albany, Troy, and Buffalo areas along with portions of Essex and Jefferson Counties are listed as “marginal” for meeting the national air quality standards for ozone. To read more about areas of the state that do not meet the federal clean air standards, visit www.epa.gov.

How do I know if there will be ozone pollution today?
The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has set up ozone monitoring stations around the state, and during the spring and summer months (when high concentrations of ozone are most likely) publishes a daily ozone forecast informing the public when it is unsafe to be outdoors. According to the American Lung association, between 1998 and 2000, the monitoring stations in New York recorded 336 days in which ozone levels were unhealthy for sensitive groups (children and anyone with asthma or respiratory aliments), 32 days with unhealthy ozone levels for anyone, and 2 days of very unhealthy ozone levels.

What can be done to stop ozone pollution?
Reducing the pollutants that make up smog, nitrogen oxides (NOX) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), will reduce ozone pollution. Driving cleaner cars and using alternative means of transportation (biking, walking, mass transit) are some of the best ways to achieve reductions in the pollutants that make up smog. Since VOCs come from oil refineries, gas stations and cars, using less fuel will reduce VOCs as well. Power plants are the largest industrial source of NOX, but legislation requiring power plants to install pollution control technology can reduce these emissions.