Air Pollution:

Has many effects on public health and the environment.

Comes in different forms and from many sources. Ozone and Particulate matter are two types of Air Pollution that affect Maine.

What is Ozone?
An odorless, colorless gas composed of three oxygen atoms. Ozone in the upper atmosphere protects us from the suns harmful ultraviolet rays.

At ground-level in the air we breathe, ozone (smog) poses serious risks to human health.

Where Does Ozone Come From?

Ozone is created by a chemical reaction: + =

O3

VOC + NOx + Heat + Sunlight = Ozone

VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) and NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) come from motor vehicles, power plants, industrial facilities, and other sources.

Why is Ozone Bad to Breathe?

The average adult breathes enough air to fill over 3,000 balloons each day. Children breathe even more! Ozone can irritate lungs and airways, and cause inflammation much like a sunburn on your lungs. Ozone can aggravate respiratory illnesses like asthma. 10 to 20% of summertime respiratory-related hospital visits in the Northeast are associated with ozone pollution. Children and people with chronic lung diseases are particularly at risk.

Health Effects of Exposure to Ozone

Coughing Nose and throat irritation Chest pain Reduced lung function Increased susceptibility to respiratory illnesses Aggravation (more serious) of asthma

The Air Quality Index

Air Quality Index (AQI) Values Levels of Health Concern Good Moderate Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups Unhealthy

0 to 50
51 to 100 101 to 150 151 to 200

201 to 300
301 to 500

Very Unhealthy
Hazardous

What is Particulate Matter?

particles of different substances suspended in the air in the form of solid particles and liquid droplets particles vary widely in size

Where does Pm come from?

Fine particles come from a variety of sources: diesel trucks and buses construction equipment power plants woodstoves wildfires

Also, Chemical reactions in the atmosphere can transform gases into fine particles.

How Fine is Fine?

Fine particles are only a fraction of the size of a human hair.
Cross section of a human hair (magnified to 60 mm)

Coarse Particles (10 mm)

Fine Particles (2.5 mm)

Why are Fine Particles Bad to Breathe?

Scientific studies have linked fine particles with a series of significant health problems.
Fine particles easily reach the deepest parts of the lungs. Particulate matter causes 15,000 premature deaths every year in the US. Fine particles from Diesel exhaust can cause lung cancer.

 Premature death

Health Effects of Exposure to Fine Particles

Aggravated asthma Respiratory-related emergency room visits and hospital admissions Acute respiratory symptoms Chronic bronchitis Decreased lung function (shortness of breath) People with existing heart and lung disease, as well as the elderly and children, are particularly at risk

What Can You Do?

Reduce vehicle emissions: Drive less Keep cars well maintained and tires properly inflated Turn off the engine when your vehicle is not in motion

Purchase low-emitting and fuel efficient vehicles

Share a ride, take public transportation bike, or walk Cut your grass after 6 p.m. Refuel your car after 6 p.m. Combine errands into one trip

What Can You Do?

Conserve electricity: do not over-cool or over-heat buildings turn off lights and appliances when not in use Purchase electronics/appliances with energy star labels
To protect your health, avoid strenuous outdoor activities when ozone levels are high