What's wrong with our air quality and why should I care?
From the late 1970's until recently, Jefferson and Shelby counties were classified as a nonattainment area for ground-level ozone by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) — meaning that pollution levels exceeded federal limits.
From 2003 to 2005, Jefferson and Shelby Counties met the federal eight-hour ozone standard. However, multiple high ozone days in 2006 put Greater Birmingham on the brink of nonattainment again. Four Alabama Counties are currently classified as a nonattainment area for particle pollution — Jackson (partial), Jefferson, Shelby and Walker (partial).
Defining Bad Air
Ground-level Ozone
Ground-level ozone is formed when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds react in the presence of heat and sunlight.
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) come primarily from combustion of fuels in automobiles, coal-fired power plants, industrial boilers and gas-powered engines such as lawnmowers and leaf blowers.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are vapors emitted by paint and print shops, gas stations, dry cleaners, lawn chemicals and from combustion engines, such as those in cars and trucks, boats and diesel locomotives. Trees also emit VOCs, especially pine trees.
NOx and VOCs combine to form ground-level ozone on hot sunny days, which is why most exceedances are seen in the summer. Ozone exceedances are most likely to occur between May 1 and September 30.
While ground-level ozone is a health and environmental problem, ozone in the stratosphere (six to 30 miles above the earth) is beneficial. It shields the Earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.
Particle Pollution
Particle pollution, or particulate matter (PM2.5), comes from some of the same sources as NOx and VOCs, including power plants and factories, motor vehicles (especially older diesel vehicles) and others. Particle pollution is also created by wood burning, construction activity and agriculture. Unlike ground-level ozone, particle pollution occurs year-round.
Why you should care.
It Impacts Your Health
Ground-Level ozone is harmful to health, especially for children, the elderly, outdoor workers and those with respiratory conditions such as asthma. Particle pollution affects these people as well as those with heart disease. The primary target is the respiratory system, but it also targets the heart and the immune system. Ozone is a reactive and irritating chemical. When inhaled, it can irritate and inflame the airways that carry air from the mouth and nose to the lungs. Even at low levels, emissions from cars contribute to high levels of ozone in Greater Birmingham on Air Quality Alert Days.
It Impacts Jobs and the Local Economy
In the 1990s, failure to clean up the ozone problem had a major impact on economic growth in Jefferson and Shelby counties, costing the region 15 major manufacturing facilities, 11,000 jobs and nearly $5 billion worth of investment.
Become aware of your personal sensitivity to air pollution, and pay attention to local air quality forecasts, which are posted on the homepage. On Air Quality Alert Days, everyone should minimize exposure to outside air and reduce polluting activities as much as possible. Commuters and employers can both make a difference. The highest ozone levels usually occur from 2 to 7 p.m., primarily in the hot summer months from May to September.
Unhealthy levels of particle pollution can peak at any time throughout the year and at any time of the day. Particle pollution can be just as high indoors as it is outdoors. When you see an Air Quality Alert flag or hear the media report air quality is expected to reach unhealthy levels. Help yourself and others by reading What Can I Do.How Can I be Updated
Click here to receive a daily Air Quality forecast by e-mail from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. Reports may be received via FAX as well.
