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EPA PREDICTS POOR AIR QUALITY IN CONNECTICUT AND MASSACHUSETTS

Release Date: 08/11/1997
Contact Information: Leo Kay, Press Office, (617) 918-4154 Lucy Edmondson, (617) 918-1004

BOSTON -- The New England office of the Environmental Protection Agency expects unhealthy air quality with elevated levels of ground-level ozone today along the coast of Connecticut, and throughout most of Massachusetts.
Air quality is considered "unhealthful" when concentrations of ozone exceed the National Ambient Air Quality Standard of 0.12 parts per million. Including yesterday, where unhealthful levels were registered in Connecticut, there have been 13 days this summer when ozone levels have reached the unhealthful mark.

"This summer's hot weather has brought New Englanders more than their fair share of unhealthy air quality," said John P. DeVillars, administrator for the EPA's New England office. "As we enter summer's home stretch, I encourage people to take care and check our new air quality prediction map on the internet when making plans to spend time outdoors."

Daily air quality predictions are available on EPA's World Wide Web information page along with other information on ozone and air pollution. Starting this week, at 5 p.m. each day, an animated map of daily smog is also available at this web address.

To review the day's animated map, and tomorrow's predicted predicted air quality levels for New England, New York and New Jersey type the following address: The prediction map is updated at 3 p.m. each weekday.

Also at special risk are the elderly, asthmatics and children. Elevated ozone levels also cause crop and tree damage, and promote deterioration of certain materials such as rubber, textile fibers and paints.

Ground-level ozone, known as smog, is formed when volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) interact in the presence of sunlight. In addition to automobiles, major contributors to the ozone problem are fossil-fuel fired electricity generation stations, gasoline stations and distribution facilities, chemical manufacturers, fuel burning equipment, and industrial coating operations. Last month, President Clinton announced new air quality standards to be more protective of children's health.

The EPA recommends the following precautions on unhealthy days:

limit outdoor activities; and,

refrain from strenuous exercise

New Englanders can help reduce ground-level ozone by a variety of easy, every day activities to help prevent bad air quality in future:

Since exhaust from automobiles is a major contributor to ground-level ozone, use public transportation, bike or walk where possible;

When it's imperative to drive, car pool and plan trips carefully to avoid excess driving;

Refuel your vehicle at night to reduce the escape of gasoline vapors during the hottest times of the day;

Keep your vehicle well maintained;

Fossil-fuel fired electricity generation stations emit large quantities of air pollutants which form smog. So, using less electricity helps reduce smog.

The Clean Air Act requires that all New England states plan for further control of sources of ozone-causing pollutants. Many controls on automobiles, industrial and smaller facilities such as gasoline service stations are currently being implemented. Additional controls could include improved automobile emissions inspection programs, and controls on fossil fuel-fired power plants and industrial boilers.