DEQ update on Ozone levels in Sublette County
by Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality
February 15, 2011
Upper Green River Basin, Wyo. – Isolated elevated 8-hour ozone levels may be experienced this afternoon, February 15, 2011, at the Boulder monitor in the Upper Green River Basin.
Yesterday, February 14th, the Boulder Monitor experienced unanticipated elevated 8-hour ozone levels above the current standard of 75 parts per billion (ppb) at 85 ppb. The Air Quality Division (AQD) of Wyoming’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is not issuing a health based ozone advisory for today (Tuesday, February 15, 2011), for the Upper Green River Basin, as these elevated 8-hour levels are not expected to be widespread. However, DEQ does feel it is important to advise the public on these current conditions as some elevated one-hour levels may be experienced.
Tomorrow, February 16th, weather conditions are not expected to be conducive for the formation of elevated 8-hour ozone.
Ozone appears to be elevated in the Basin when there is a presence of ozone-forming precursor emissions including oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds coupled with strong temperature inversions, low winds, snow cover, and bright sunlight. Weather conditions conducive to the formation of elevated 8-hour ozone are forecasted 24 to 36 hours in advance of any health based ozone advisory status change. As DEQ has not issued a health based ozone advisory, industry Ozone Contingency Plans are not required to be implemented.
Ozone is an air pollutant that can cause respiratory health effects especially to children, the elderly and people with existing respiratory conditions. People in these sensitive groups should limit strenuous or extended outdoor activities, especially in the afternoon and evening. More information on ozone and the health effects of ozone are available at the Wyoming Department of Health website, http://www.health.wyo.gov.
Current information on ozone levels at the Air Quality Division’s monitoring stations at Daniel, Pinedale, Boulder, Juel Spring and the Wyoming Range can be found at www.wyvisnet.com.
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