More Unhealthy Smog Today

Ozone levels soared again today in the Denver metro area, rising above current federal health limits at four monitor sites.

According to the latest information on the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division's website, ozone levels climbed above the health limit of 80 parts per billion over an eight hour period at Rocky Flats, in Golden, in Fort Collins, and in southwest Lakewood.

Rocky Flats had an eight hour ozone concentration of 90 parts per billion, the highest ozone reading so far this year in Colorado. Right behind was Fort Collins, where ozone climbed to 87 parts per billion.

A violation of health standard will occur when the fourth highest eight hour ozone reading reaches 86 parts per billion at the Rocky Flats monitor. With ozone rising to 85 parts per billion yesterday and then 90 today, Rocky Flats may be on track to violate.

All this comes at the heels of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's announcement that ozone should be limited to 70 parts per billion over an eight hour period, not 80, to keep us all safe.

Tomorrow promises more of the same; there continues to be an ozone alert in effect for the Denver metro area. It's looking like the Mile High City still has miles to go when it comes to keeping people safe from smog.