Winter Pollution Advisories Start

Winter air pollution advisories for the Denver metro area started November 1st. No sooner did the Department of Public Health and Environment make this announcement that a Red Pollution Advisory was called.

A Red Pollution Advisory means that either current air quality is poor or conditions are expected to worsen later in the day or the next day. Red advisories trigger mandatory residential burning restrictions and voluntary driving reductions in the Denver metro area.

This latest Red Pollution Advisory is a likely indication of what's to come this winter. The problem is fine particle pollution, also called "PM-2.5." PM-2.5 is particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter, or 1/28th the size of a human hair. Unlike dust and dirt, these particles are the byproduct of fossil fuel combustion. These dangerous byproducts include soot and microscopic acidic droplets, and are extremely harmful.

PM-2.5 is also very visible. It's the main ingredient of Denver's long-infamous brown cloud.

Last fall, health standards for PM-2.5 were strengthened, meaning we've got a tougher bar to meet. Many days that were previously considered to be healthy are now going to be considered dangerous.

Despite growing health concerns, the state of Colorado has turned a blind eye to PM-2.5 pollution. The state has yet to adopt any safeguards that actually reduce PM-2.5. Despite Red Pollution Advisories, the state actually claims Denver's air quality is just fine.

We have stronger health standards in place, yet our state is turning its back on PM-2.5 pollution. It's a recipe for a lot more Red Pollution Advisories here in the Denver metro area.

In the meantime, today's air quality is relatively clear and clean. You can keep tabs on air quality conditions throughout Colorado online here >>