ENVIRONMENT:

Md. Dept. of Environment Advises on Coming Ozone Alerts

May 1 marks the beginning of the ground level ozone season for this area; the season ends Sept. 30.

This ground level ozone can be harmful to all, especially children, people with respiratory disease such as asthma, and those who work or exercise outdoors. Even at moderate levels, ozone may cause coughing, nose and throat irritation and chest pains. It can make lungs function less efficiently and it can make people more susceptible to respiratory illnesses.

AirWatch, a "real time" air quality data notification system, can be visited at air-watch.net or by calling (410) 537-3247.

Hourly air pollution levels are collected from a comprehensive network of monitors throughout the Baltimore and Washington metropolitan area and are displayed in a graphical interactive map. The map is color-coded to represent current readings of air quality monitored within counties and municipalities recording ozone data. Users may click through the map to review data from multiple monitors within a county and review data archived since the summer of 2001. The real-time map allows the public to monitor air quality conditions near their community and adjust their daily activities accordingly.

Visitors to AirWatch may also choose to register for the free AirAlert notification system, which lets users know when the air is unhealthy at specific monitors.

This year also marks MDE's start of year-round reporting on another air pollutant, fine particles, called "particulate matter." These include solid particles and liquid droplets in the air. Unlike ozone, fine particles are not a seasonal pollutant, and these forecasts will now be continued throughout the year.

Particle exposure can lead to a variety of health effects. For example, numerous studies link particle levels to increased hospital admissions and emergency room visits--and even to death from heart or lung diseases. Both long- and short-term particle exposures have been linked to health problems. More information about fine particles is available from the US Environmental Protection Agency, epa.gov/airnow.

Maryland has incorporated a vast number of controls and programs aimed at reducing harmful emissions that cause air quality problems in Maryland. In addition to federal controls required in areas that exhibit air quality problems like those in Maryland, MDE has implemented a number of state and regional controls and regulations aimed at reducing the precursors of ground level ozone.

Research has shown that pollution blown into Maryland from other states is a significant factor in the quality of the state's air. Without more stringent regional controls, it will be very difficult for Maryland to achieve the national ozone standard.