‘It was a little bit of a mixed bag’: New NC air quality report shows some improvements, some problems
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A new report on air quality in North Carolina has mixed results. New findings from the American Lung Association show some signs of improvement and some cause for concern.
“It was a little bit of a mixed bag. So the ozone, smog increased in that area,” said Danna Thompson, advocacy director for the American Lung Association in North Carolina. “Dirty air is a dangerous public health issue. It causes people to suffer immediate and potentially fatal medical problems.”
Thompson said the rising ozone levels in the state are concerning. Exposure to ozone pollution can have serious health effects.
What’s hotter than red-hot? New federal heat risk tool sets ‘magenta’ as most dangerous level
“It can kill living cells on contact. When inhaled, ozone damages the tissues and the respiratory tract, causing irritation and inflammation. Think of a sunburn of the lung,” Thompson said.
It is not all bad news. The report found particle pollution remains low, even after the EPA approved stricter standards.
Despite some of the report’s concerns, the North Carolina Division of Air Quality said we are breathing the cleanest air in decades.
“We are seeing less pollution in the ambient air that we’re monitoring,” spokesperson Shawn Taylor said.
Taylor said emissions are also down, including from the sources which contribute to ozone pollution.
“Cars and trucks on our streets today are much, much cleaner than they were in years past,” he said.
Fort Mill neighbors prepare to fight solar plant zoning issue with York County
While there are a few days a year ozone levels can rise enough for a short term alert, Taylor said the number of those days is also down, and there are precautions people can take.
“The number one thing that you can do is to limit your time outdoors, really exerting yourself,” Taylor said.
The American Lung Association is calling on the EPA to pass stricter standards for ozone pollution. Thompson also said on an individual level, people can limit the use of gas-powered cars.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
