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our website we will constantly be highlighting wonderful programs and
people behind the Community Indicators. Do you have a person or a
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The Upstate Air Quality Coalition
In 1997, the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued new air quality standards
measuring ground level ozone, commonly called smog. Ground level ozone
is produced by manmade sources, which are produced by numerous
combustion processes such as car exhaust and industrial boilers; and by
natural sources, such as the gases released by natural vegetation. In
the Upstate's hot, humid summers, these pollutants "cook" to produce
high levels of ground level ozone. The Upstate's natural forestation,
major interstate highways, and heavy industry, plus the heat and
humidity and our location "up the Jet Stream" from the heavily
populated transportation hub Atlanta, GA all have contributed to the
Upstate in 2004 being named a "non-attainment area" relating to ground
level ozone levels.
Ground level ozone is an irritant that can
damage lung tissue, especially in those with respiratory diseases and
the very young, when repeatedly inhaled over prolonged periods of time.
For this reason, ground level ozone levels are monitored and reported
daily throughout the region during the hot summer months and citizens
are asked to make lifestyle changes to lessen the affect of these "red
level alert" days. Citizens are urged to carpool or limit automobile
trips, and to refuel cars and operate combustion engine machinery such
as lawn mowers in the cooler evening hours. There are a number of
recommendations for businesses and local governments on red level
days as well. Years before any non-attainment designation would
possibly be given to the Upstate region, the public and private sectors
came together to address the issue and to prepare a pro-active approach
to improving air quality. The Upstate Air Quality Coalition was formed
in 2000 and included representatives from Anderson, Greenville and
Spartanburg Counties. The group formalized the working relationship in
2002 as the three counties signed an Early Action Compact and worked to
finalize 23 air quality improvement strategies that can be implemented
to help bring the region into compliance for the benefit of economic
development and the health of Upstate citizens even earlier than is
required by the EPA. |
