St Bernard Parish Air Quality Alert from Louisiana DEQ
Saturday April 28 2018 the "O3 _ 8-hour" Average ground level Ozone Reading in Meraux, LA [at The Joe Davies School play area] was 71 ppb; LDEQ sent out email alerts[to those who signed up] because at that Ozone level the air is unhealthy for "Sensitive" people like CHILDREN.
The Index level was Orange and 101.
The 8-Hour Average O3 reading was 71 ppb.
The 8-Hour Average O3 reading was 71 ppb.
The one hour averages for Ozone on April 28 2018 at the same Joe Davies play area [LDEQ air monitor] were as high as 79 ppb.
" ... the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) strengthened the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone to 70 parts per billion (ppb), based on extensive scientific evidence about ozone’s effects on public health and welfare. The updated standards will improve public health protection, particularly for at-risk groups including children, older adults, people of all ages who have lung diseases such as asthma, and people who are active outdoors, especially outdoor workers, among others."
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-04/documents/20151001childrenhealthfs.pdf
Ozone is .... "likely to be one of many causes of asthma development. Repeated ozone damage to developing lungs can affect children into adulthood, contributing to permanent reductions in the lungs’ ability to function. Children -- including teenagers -- are among the groups of people considered most at risk from exposure to ground-level ozone, a key component of smog. Children, including healthy children, fall into this group for several reasons:
Does this mean St Bernard Parish will inform children at the Recreational Sports fields to reduce exertion outdoors? What about on school days; will St Bernard Parish School Board have INDOOR recess programs for "Sensitive" people like CHILDREN?
If the Ozone levels continue to be unhealthy, will St Bernard Parish make proactive changes before non-attainment for Ozone? or is it business as usual?
When will the large industries take voluntary steps to improve air quality? If industry implements best business practices and best control technology at its plants in other States, why can't the same corporations invest in St Bernard Air Quality? Its only the air we are forced to breathe. Invest in Air Quality, PLEASE, our lives depend on it.
"May is traditionally the start of ozone season and the [Louisiana Governor's Air Quality Awareness Month] proclamation encourages citizens to become familiar with the Air Quality Index, to understand what causes ozone formation and to take voluntary steps to help prevent ozone formation and improve air quality. National Air Quality Awareness week is April 30 to May 4."
http://deq.louisiana.gov/assets/docs/News_Releases/2018/AirQAwarenessmonthproclaimation.pdf
The following DEQ air monitoring site(s) have detected elevated readings which have reached an "Orange" or "Red" level on the Air Quality Index (AQI). According to the Environmental Protection Agency, who sets most air quality standards, being at the "Orange" level means that levels are "Unhealthy for sensitive groups - People with asthma should consider reducing exertion outdoors", while a "Red" level is "Unhealthy - Children, asthmatics, and people with heart or lung disease should reduce exertion outdoors".
If you are in this group of individuals, please plan your outdoor activities accordingly. For more information please visit the DEQ Air Monitoring Data & AQI website
Meraux site
| 101 OZONE | Unhealthy for sensitive groups 71 PPB 4/28/2018 7:00 PM |
This data has not been quality reviewed or validated. Continuous PM2.5 readings shown are not NAAQS comparable.
