Things are Heating up

Even though the official "ozone season" doesn't start until May 1, the Denver metro area has already experienced unhealthy levels of ozone, the key ingredient of smog.

Current federal health standards limit ozone concentrations to no more than 80 parts per billion over an 8-hour period. However, it's now known that whenever concentrations exceed 60 parts per billion over an 8-hour period, children, seniors, those with asthma, and many more are at risk. Clean air scientists and physicians are now calling on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to strengthen ozone standards to protect everyone's health.

So far in 2007, ozone concentrations have exceeded 60 parts per billion 10 times in the Denver metro area. On March 28, ozone levels exceeded 60 parts per billion at 8 air monitors in the metro area: Chatfield Reservoir, Highlands Ranch, Arvada, Carriage (23rd and Julian), Greeley, Golden, Rocky Flats, and Welch (W. Highway 285).

Despite this unhealthy smog, no health advisories were issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Why? Because May 1 is when the state begins issuing "ozone alerts" to warn people of unhealthy smog. This needs to change, and we hope soon.

When it comes to protecting our health from smog, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment needs to be there for us. The official "ozone season" may not start until May 1st, but that hasn't kept smog from rising to unhealthy levels so far.