Increase In Code Orange And Code Red Air Quality
Days Expected Throughout Region
4/29/2008
Washington, DC - The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Air
Quality Awareness Week kicks off recently with the news that an increase in
the number of Code Orange and Code Red air quality days is expected in the
metropolitan Washington-Baltimore region this ozone season. The expected
increase is the result of EPA's recent changes in the national air quality
standard for ground-level ozone which can cause respiratory problems and
other health effects. The new standard lowers the Code Orange and above
range on the Air Quality Index (AQI), EPA's color-coded tool for
communicating daily air quality, in order to better protect public health.
The change in the AQI is attributed to new research that finds there are
greater health risks when exposed to lower levels of ground-level ozone than
previously thought.
According to Clean Air Partners, a regional partnership committed to
improving air quality and protecting public health throughout the
metropolitan Washington-Baltimore region, the number of Code Orange days
(days that surpass the national standard level for safe or healthy air
quality) will likely double this season. This increase will require
residents to take action more frequently in order to reduce air pollution
and protect the health of area residents.
"Although we have seen an improvement in the air quality throughout our
region, EPA's new standard demonstrates that ground-level ozone at lower
levels is harmful to our residents' health, especially sensitive groups,"
said Joan Rohlfs, Chief of Air Quality Planning for the Metropolitan
Washington Council of Governments and Program Manager for Clean Air
Partners. "With the expected increase in Code Orange and Red days, residents
will be called upon to do their part to help improve air quality and stay
healthy. We view this tightening of standards as an opportunity for the
region to further improve the air that we breathe."
More than 4 million people in the metropolitan Washington-Baltimore region
live in areas that exceed EPA's standards for ground-level ozone and
particle pollution. Sensitive groups, made up of 1.5 million area residents,
are people with lung disease (asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis),
children, older adults, and people who are active outdoors and who may
experience adverse health effects when air pollution levels are elevated for
a prolonged period of time. EPA and Clean Air Partners recommend that during
a Code Orange or above day, sensitive groups should limit their outdoor
activity level and everyone should follow actions to reduce air pollution.
Recommended actions include driving less by postponing errands, teleworking,
carpooling or taking public transit, refueling after dark, and postponing
mowing, all of which will impact air quality, improve health and reduce
greenhouse gas emissions that impact climate change.
Despite the new standard, the air quality in the metropolitan
Washington-Baltimore region has improved over the past decade. This is due
in part to federal, state and local government regulations and pollution
control programs, continuous public education and outreach on air quality,
as well as increased voluntary efforts taken by participants and members of
the Clean Air Partners program. There is also evidence that overall public
awareness of air quality has increased. Today, more than 60 percent of the
public is familiar with the AQI compared to only 45 percent in 1996. Since
launching in May of 2007, there have been over 4 million visits to the Clean
Air Partners website which supplies information about regional air quality.
Additionally, more than 1,200 individuals have registered to receive Clean
Air Partners' AirAlerts, daily air quality forecasts and real time health
notifications, which provide timely air quality information, helping
residents to protect their health.
EPA estimates that the new standards will yield health benefits valued
between $2B and $19B. Those benefits include preventing cases of bronchitis,
aggravated asthma, hospital and emergency room visits, nonfatal heart
attacks and premature death, among others.
SOURCE: EPA
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