Air Quality 101 Clean Air Partners New Member Orientation August 29, 2006

The Products: Forecast and AQAG

People Most at Risk from Air Pollution Children Elderly Adults who are active outdoors People with respiratory and heart ailments In the Baltimore/Washington region, more than 320,000 adults and 100,000 children have asthma.

What we typically call smog is made up of ground level ozone. VOCs + NO x + Sunlight = Ozone Ground Level Ozone

Fine Particulate Matter Particles are very small objects found in the air, including dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets. Our respiratory system filters out larger particles. Smaller particles get trapped in the lungs, while the smallest are so tiny they pass through the lungs into the blood stream.

Sources of Particles Primary Particles –power plants, factories, automobile exhaust, construction sites, unpaved roads, wood burning, agriculture sites Secondary Particles –gases from burning fuels react with sunlight and water vapor and are chemically transformed into particles

Health Effects of Ozone Pollution Ozone interferes with normal lung functioning, aggravates respiratory diseases, and causes eye irritation. Most common symptom is pain from taking a deep breath. Long term exposure to ozone may lead to premature aging of the lungs.

Health Effects From Particles Particles may trigger or cause significant health problems: –coughing and difficult or painful breathing –aggravated asthma, bronchitis, emphysema –decreased lung function –weakening of the heart, heart attacks –premature death

Good News – Emission Levels The Baltimore/Washington region has implemented an aggressive set of air pollution control regulations –Power plants to hair spray and perfume –Over 100 different regulations since 1990 Emissions have been cut by about 40% since 1990 –National average is about 20%

Air Quality Monitoring Network

Good News – Ozone levels are lower than they have ever been

Nationally recognized for mapping and color-coded messaging system Forecasting methodology tested “Ozone Map” piloted color-coded forecasting for Baltimore through partnership with MDE - ALA Ozone Map airs, color-coded forecasting spreads to DC, Clean Air Partners formed Ozone Action Days Program started Ozone Map gains national recognition; EPA begins national ozone mapping effort EPA adopts Maryland color coded messaging as part of the federal Air Quality Index (AQI) Real time data effort initiated – web and based  air-watch.net Fine particulate added to outreach efforts; OAD now AQAD

About 600 organizations and individuals as partners A Baltimore and Washington DC regional initiative Encourages voluntary actions to help reduce air pollution Also used to inform employees and clients of health issues and air quality forecasts Adding Actions to the Process

Individual Actions Limit driving and refuel cars after dark Share a ride, telework from home, or use transit Consolidate trips and errands Avoid using gas-powered lawn equipment Put off any painting until later Avoid using aerosol products

Media Coverage