Illinois EPA Announces Early Start
to 2017 Ozone Season
Ozone Season Began March 1st
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[March 04, 2017]
SPRINGFIELD
— Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Director
Alec Messina has announced the early start to the 2017 Ozone Season.
This is the time of year where meteorology and air pollution could
result in elevated ground-level ozone. Previously, the ozone season
ran from April through October, and 2017 is expanding by one month
at the direction of U.S. EPA.
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In 2015, U.S. EPA strengthened the national ambient air quality
standard for ground-level ozone. Following the implementation of the
new standard in 2016, U.S. EPA updated the Air Quality Index and
subsequently updated the ozone monitoring seasons in 32 states,
including Illinois. The extra month of monitoring will standardize
the ozone season across a number of states.
“The earlier start to the ozone season offers an important reminder
to residents to check their daily air quality forecasts,” said
Director Messina. “Illinois EPA issues the forecasts to provide
residents with important information to protect their health and
take special precautions. Residents should check their daily air
quality just like they check the daily weather.”
States use the Air Quality Index (AQI) to forecast each day’s air
quality according to the six-colored system ranging from “Good”
(Green) to “Hazardous” (Maroon). Historically, Illinois has not
reached the top two categories of “Very Unhealthy” or “Hazardous.”
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Ground-level ozone is formed through a complex chemical reaction with air
pollution and sunlight. Emissions from vehicles and industry are heated up by
the sunlight to form ground-level ozone. Elevated ozone levels can impact
individuals, especially seniors, children and those with respiratory and heart
conditions. Those individuals should take special precautions and follow their
physician prescribed regimen when ozone levels are elevated.
The Illinois EPA provides the daily air quality forecast at https://www.airnow.gov.
Residents can also receive free air quality forecasts via email or text by
registering at http://illinois.enviroflash.info. The Agency also posts daily air
quality forecasts for five regions on Twitter @IL_AirQuality. Air quality
information for the Chicago Metropolitan area is provided in partnership with
Illinois Partners for Clean Air at www.cleantheair.org and @IL_PFCA.
[Illinois Environmental Protection
Agency] |