Don't be Fooled by the Clouds

Things are still smoggy as all get tonight, folks. As of 7 P.M., the maximum eight hour ozone concentrations reached 85 parts per billion at Rocky Flats and 80 in Golden. Our current health standards limit ozone to no more than 80 parts per billion, so this is pretty serious.

In fact, today saw hourly ozone concentrations reach 90 parts per billion or higher, some of the highest hourly readings recorded so far this year. The hourly concentrations are averaged over an eight hour period to give us the eight hour average, and that's how we assess air quality.

And you know what else? If the fourth highest maximum ozone concentration reaches 86 parts per billion at Rocky Flats, we officially violate federal health standards. Given that ozone readings today have so far topped 85 parts per billion at Rocky Flats, we may be in for trouble this year.

Breathe easy tonight, and don't be fooled by the clouds.