'Be air aware'

Contact:  Elizabeth Schmitz 800-928-0047

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 28, 2008) -- National Air Quality Week, April 28 - May 2 creates an opportunity for Kentuckians to “Be Air Aware.” 

There are many kinds of air pollution, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency calculates the Air Quality Index (AQI) for five major air pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act. They are ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. Ozone and particle pollution are the two most commonly found pollutants in Kentucky.

Ozone is a colorless and odorless gas.  It is naturally occurring in the ozone layer of the atmosphere, where it protects humans and crops from the sun.  At ground level, where we live, ozone is a man-made pollutant, is unhealthy to breathe, and can damage some crops, such as soybeans.  Ground-level ozone forms when pollutants from cars, trucks, power plants, industry and some consumer products “cook” in the sun.  Ozone usually peaks during the afternoon hours, when sunlight is most intense.  The allowable limit for ozone has recently been made more stringent, so Kentuckians, especially those in urban areas, can expect to see more ozone AQI alerts this summer than they have in the past.

Particle pollution, also known as particulate matter, consists of microscopic particles in the air. It can be a problem in the summer or winter, depending on where you live. Particle pollution causes haze, blurring the view in many cities and national parks.  Like ozone, particle pollution is unhealthy to breathe.

To learn more about ozone and particle pollution, or to check on the air quality in your region, visit the Division for Air Quality Web site at www.air.ky.gov.