Why have we been hearing so much about ozone over the last several summers?

For years, Mecklenburg County has exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) standards for acceptable levels of ozone and other pollutants, placing us in violation of the Clean Air Act. Because of this problem across the state, the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources began the Ozone Action Program to inform the public about air pollution, its causes and effects, and ways to reduce it. In addition, the American Lung Association, in recent years, has rated Charlotte in or near the top ten of cities having the worst air quality in the nation. Hence, air quality has become quite news worthy over the last several years.

How does ground level ozone affect me?

When code orange, red or purple days are reported in Mecklenburg County, your health and the health of your family are affected. Breathing ozone can trigger a variety of health problems including chest pain, coughing, throat irritation and congestion. Breathing ozone can also inflame and damage the lining of the lungs as well as worsen bronchitis, emphysema and asthma. The most sensitive populations are the young, the elderly, asthmatics and those with other respiratory illnesses.

 
How often have we exceeded the EPA’s standard?
Orange Red Purple
34 days in 1999 29 5
20 days in 2000 17 2 1
3 days in 2001 12 1
26 days in 2002 20 6
4 days in 2003 3 1
4 days in 2004 3 1

 14 days in 2005

 13 1
 17 days in 2006 17
26 days in 2007 24 1 1
22 days in 2008 20 2  

What can I do to help improve the air quality? KNOW THE CODE!!

Ozone Action Days are coded orange, red or purple. These colors indicate when the ozone is very harmful. Make sure you do your part on these days to reduce ozone by:

  • Driving less – carpool, vanpool, ride CATS, bike or walk instead
  • Taking your lunch to work, instead of driving out
  • Combining errands into one trip
  • Refueling vehicles and mowing the lawn after 7PM
  • Not cooking out or open burning
  • Limiting vehicle idling; avoiding drive-thrus
  • Conserving energy
  • Remember, these tips should especially be adhered to on Ozone Action Days – code red, orange or purple.

If each of us will take action, we can truly cut pollution in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.
Where can I get more information?
Visit www.ridetransit.org, air quality. http://airquality.charmeck.org, or http://daq.state.nc.us to stay abreast of ozone alerts.