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Officials say region's air improves this summer as more stay off roads
By Bob Downing
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Thursday, Oct 02, 2008
Northeast Ohio's air was cleaner than expected this summer.
The likely reason?
The high price of gasoline kept cars off the road.
''That was definitely a factor,'' said Amy Coursen of the Cleveland-based Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency. ''Less emissions from vehicles means less pollution.''
Fifteen ozone advisories were issued for Northeast Ohio this year, when, based on 2007 ozone levels, up to 30 advisories were expected, said Lynn Malcolm, executive director of the Akron Regional Air Quality Management District.
It appears that gasoline prices sharply reduced vehicle miles traveled in Northeast
Ohio, he said.
In late August, when schools reopened and the University of Akron resumed classes, motorists started driving more and the area's ozone levels jumped, Malcolm said.
Eight counties — Summit, Medina, Portage, Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain, Geauga and Ashtabula — make up the Northeast Ohio air region.
This summer, there were 11 days when the air in the region exceeded the new federal Clean Air Act limit on ozone of 75 parts per billion.
Last year, when the limit wasn't as strict — 85 parts per billion — the region had 13 days of violations.
''That's not bad,'' Malcolm said of this year's violations.
Ozone is created when hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide emissions from vehicles, power plants and industry mix in hot, sunny conditions. The pollutant can cause breathing problems for the elderly, children and people with asthma.
Malcolm said the monitor in Akron's Patterson Park recorded the summer's highest ozone level in the eight counties: 92 parts per billion. That number, based on unofficial data, is an eight-hour average.
The highest level in Medina County was an 80, he said, and there were no levels above 75 in Portage County.
In 2007, Summit County posted the worst ozone levels for the region — a high of 97 and eight days when the ozone limits were exceeded.
Northeast Ohio's ozone levels were low in 2006 because it was a cool, wet summer.
The U.S. EPA averages key ozone readings over three years to determine whether a region is in compliance with the Clean Air Act. The ozone season continues until late October, so this year's key readings have not yet been determined.
In 2000-2002, Northeast Ohio failed to meet the old federal ozone limit of 85 parts per billion, and it is under orders to comply with it by 2010.
Meanwhile, readings from 2008 to 2010 will be set against the new limit of 75 parts per billion. In 2011, the U.S. EPA will determine which regions haven't met the new standard, and states will have three years to draft compliance plans.
If Northeast Ohio is unable to comply, the region could be ordered to use more costly, cleaner-burning gasoline and face sanctions on new or expanding industries that want to release emissions into the air.
Northeast Ohio also must comply by 2010 with first-ever federal limits on tiny soot, or particulate.
The region had nine days in 2008 when federal soot limits were exceeded, Malcolm said.
Microscopic soot can aggravate breathing problems and trigger heart attacks.
It comes from coal-burning power plants, smokestack industries, wood fires and vehicles, especially diesel-powered cars, trucks and buses.
Bob Downing can be reached at 330-996-3745 or bdowning@thebeaconjournal.com.
Northeast Ohio's air was cleaner than expected this summer.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Posted 03:21 AM, 10/02/2008
Although it is now free, just what does the reading have to be to get rid of that moronic engine to normal temp gas wasting trip to the E-check station for thousands of cars in our area that are just sitting?
Anti-Politically Correct & Anti-GOP, OH
Posted 05:47 AM, 10/02/2008
The high price of gasoline kept cars off the road. NO kidding!!!!???? What about all that idling while sitting at the eCheck station or while sitting in traffic on Route 8 because morons have the need to stop at the Perkins ramp and clog up traffic or cause accidents? Who is paying for all that?
