EPA: New England had nine unhealthy ozone days, R.I. zero

THE U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said New England had nine unhealthy ozone days this past summer.
THE U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said New England had nine unhealthy ozone days this past summer.

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island never had any unhealthy air quality levels this summer, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The federal agency reported that New England experienced fewer unhealthy air quality days this year compared with the last two years, registering only nine days when ozone monitors recorded concentrations above levels considered healthy.
The region had 20 unhealthy ozone days in 2013 and 29 in 2012, the agency reported.
In addition to Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine and Vermont also did not have any unhealthy ozone days based on preliminary data collected between April and September. In comparison, Connecticut had eight unhealthy ozone days, while New Hampshire had one.
Last year, Rhode Island had seven unhealthy ozone days; Massachusetts, six; Maine, five; New Hampshire, three; and Connecticut, 18.
In 2012, Rhode Island had 11 unhealthy days; Massachusetts, 17; Maine, four; New Hampshire, three; and Connecticut, 27.
Vermont also had zero unhealthy days in 2012 and 2013.
The agency said the number of unhealthy days may vary from year-to-year due to weather conditions.
The region’s number of unhealthy ozone days is decreasing. In 1983, New England had 113 unhealthy days. The agency said the downward trend is due to a reduction in emissions that form ozone.
“We can all feel proud of the progress we have made in reducing ozone pollution over the past several decades,” Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office, said in a statement. “Exhaust from cars and trucks is a big contributor to formation of ground-level ozone, and EPA’s historic National Clean Car standards will help us all to breath cleaner air and save money.”
“This program doubles fuel economy standards by 2025, cuts vehicle greenhouse gas emissions by half and will save American families a whopping $1.7 trillion dollars in fuel costs,” he added.
Ozone levels are unhealthy when average concentrations exceed 0.075 parts per million over an 8-hour period. Ground-level ozone is formed when volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen chemically react in the presence of sunlight.
Fossil fuels burning at electric power plants, which run at high capacities on hot days, also emit substantial amounts of ozone-making pollution. Gas stations and print shops, as well as household products like paints and cleaners and gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment, also contribute to ozone formation.

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