Air Pollution: A Growing Problem

The air throughout the District does not meet the state and federal health- based air quality standards. Meeting these standards in the future will require a community-wide effort of government, industry, business and the public. Our climate, topography and the growing number of people, industries, businesses and vehicles collectively contribute to the formation of smog. The pollutants of greatest concern throughout the District are ozone, particulate and air toxics.

Ozone is an invisible pollutant formed by chemical reactions involving nitrogen oxides, reactive hydrocarbons and sunlight. Each day the ozone cycle repeats. It is a powerful respiratory irritant that can cause coughing, shortness of breath, headaches, fatigue and lung damage, especially among children, the elderly, the ill and people who exercise outdoors.
There is a defininte relationship between smog and health. Ozone also damages plants, including agricultural crops, and degrades manufactured materials such as rubber and paint.

Particulate matter is the fine mineral, metal soot, smoke and dust particles suspended in the air. For health reasons, we are most concerned with inhalant particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10), which can permanently lodge in the deepest, most sensitive areas of the lung and cause respiratory and other health problems.

Air toxics, also known as hazardous air pollutants or toxic air pollutants, are substances emitted into the air that can cause cancer, reproductive harm and other health effects. Most air toxics originate from human-made sources, including mobile sources (e.g., cars, trucks, buses) and stationary sources (e.g., factories, refineries, power plants), as well as indoor sources (e.g., building materials and activities such as cleaning). People who live or work near specific sources are most at risk. Examples of air toxics are asbestos, benzene (found in gasoline), ethylene oxide (used in sterilization), and perchloroethylene (used in fabric cleaning).

The District's mission is to protect human health and property from the harmful effects of air pollution and our staff and programs are dedicated to accomplishing this goal.