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Bay Area Air Quality Management District Article
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The Air Quality We Live In
from:Air quality is extremely important to our health and overall well being. Although it's something we all tend to take for granted, the air quality around us plays a very important role in our lives. We've all heard people talking about the ozone and the ozone layer and how harmful it can be to the air quality around us. Ozone is a colorless gas that's everywhere in the air we breathe. Depending on where you're at when it appears will determine if it's good or bad ozone. It occurs in the stratosphere, the upper atmosphere of the Earth and protects the Earth form sun's ultraviolet rays.
When the ozone is at ground level, it is considered an air pollutant and can be very harmful to our health. Ground level ozone affects our air quality when the oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds react to sunlight. This ozone comes from vehicles like trucks, cars, buses, etc., lawn and garden equipment, construction equipment, large factories and industries, paints and cleaners.
Air quality is tested and determine by the air quality index, which a standardized indicator of what the quality of the air is in one specific location. It measures the ozone at ground level as well as amount of particles in the air, which may include nitrogen dioxide or sulfur dioxide. The pollen count, which will also affect the air quality, is not listed in the air quality index. Certain times of the day will affect the ozone, which, in turn, affects our air quality. In urban environments, the ozone is likely to reach an unhealthy level on a hot sunny day because of the urban smog.
Rural areas can also be affected by unhealthy ozone layers because it can travel a long ways via the wind. There are some sites that give air quality reports on a daily basis so the public knows how polluted or clean the air may be that day. This is specifically important for those that may have allergies and need to know the outdoor air quality conditions before planning outdoor activities.
The ozone can cause health problems by making it harder to breathe, causing pain when breathing as well as shortness of breathing, damaging the lung lining, increases or causes coughing and aggravates lung diseases. Although the ozone affects all of us, some people are more susceptible to problems caused from poor air quality due to the ozone. These may include individuals with lung disease like emphysema, asthma or bronchitis as well as elderly. Even healthy people may occasionally be affected by the harmful effects of the ozone.
Bay Area Air Quality Management District News
Oakland turns cold shoulder to embattled crematory - Oakland Tribune
Oakland turns cold shoulder to embattled crematory Oakland Tribune New neighbors have led to fresh complaints against the facility filed with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. The district previously had found no issues with the Emeryville facility. But a recent Preliminary Risk Assessment raised concerns ... |
East Bay journalists recognized for outstanding work - Oakland Tribune
East Bay journalists recognized for outstanding work Oakland Tribune Borenstein won best editorial for "Hercules recall needed," and also took first place in the columns-news category for columns about the Oakley city manager's housing deal, an Oakland pension plan and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District's use ... |
New regional government plan put on back burner - Napa Valley Register
New regional government plan put on back burner Napa Valley Register The commission would be installed above the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission. |
Benicia air-monitoring project in limbo, Valero and community group say - Vallejo Times-Herald
Benicia air-monitoring project in limbo, Valero and community group say Vallejo Times-Herald May 2009: An air-quality study finds that Benicia was fourth worst in the Bay Area for ozone levels in 2008, according to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Although the refinery emits ozone precursor gases, its exact contribution to ozone ... |
Bay Area no longer among 25 most-polluted regions - San Francisco Chronicle
 USA TODAY | Bay Area no longer among 25 most-polluted regions San Francisco Chronicle In January, the California Air Resources Board approved regulations that will cut in half current greenhouse gas emissions and mandate production of more than a million zero-emission vehicles by 2025. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has ... San Francisco drops off top 25 list for worst smog pollution North Coast has some of cleanest air in California North State City Among Most Polluted In County |