Ozone levels rising in area

By Debbie Glover
St. Tammany News
Published on Thursday, July 2, 2009 11:35 PM CDT

Print this story | Email this story | Post A Comment |

Ozone levels on the Northshore are rising and residents should take precautions, according to a report by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.

Jennifer Mouton of the LDEQ said that ozone forms when the sun is very hot and conditions are dry. The recent weather conditions are favorable for formation of ozone in the area, generally known as a summertime pollutant.

Mouton explained that the monitor for air quality on the Northshore is located in Madisonville, but residents of the entire area should take precautions, particularly the elderly, the very young and those with lung or breathing conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema.

To combat the formation of ozone, Mouton said residents should try to conserve energy as much as possible and drive less and carpool when possible. In addition, fueling cars and boats after 6 p.m. and using combustible engines and lawn equipment after 6 p.m. will also help. The main causes of ozone pollution are motor vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions and gasoline vapors.

The Environmental Protection Agency sets a standard level of ozone safety of 75 parts per billion. The latest reading for St. Tammany Parish is 65 PPB, according to the LDEQ Web site, www.deq.la.gov. Click on “Air” to get to the live ozone monitoring system.

Breathing ozone can trigger a variety of health problems including chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, and congestion. It can worsen bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma. Ground-level ozone also can reduce lung function and inflame the linings of the lungs. Repeated exposure may permanently scar lung tissue.

Mouton said that those suffering from health problems with breathing, particularly if they are elderly or very young should stay indoors as much as possible.

Print this story | Email this story | Post A Comment |

Comments

No comments posted.

WRITE A COMMENT

Use the form below to post a brief comment to this story, or respond to other readers. Please use the word count tool to assist you in keeping your remarks to 100 words or fewer.

Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. All readers comments must be approved by our staff before posting to the Web site. They review submitted comments periodically during the day for offensive or off-topic content before posting. Be aware, in accordance with the Communications Decency Act and provisions upheld in judicial appeal, that you are responsible for comments posted on this Web site. The St. Tammany News is not liable for messages from third parties.

DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity.
* Comments unrelated to the story.
* Personal Information (phone numbers, addresses, etc.)

Opinions, advice and all other information expressed in thesttammanynews.com's reader comments represent the individual's own views and not necessarily those of the St. Tammany News. The St. Tammany News does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than authorized St. Tammany News spokespersons.

Your thoughtful contribution to the online discussion is appreciated.

Multimedia

Sheriff and Slidell police on the hunt for armed robber

The armed robber, who is suspected of two armed robberies last week on Brownswitch Road and Robert Boulevard in Slidell, is also suspected for the robbery of the Blockbuster Video store at the corner of Gause Boulevard and Military Road Wednesday afternoon.

Click here for all videos