Air Quality Primer

Resources for the 2003 Air Quality Protection Strategy
The following series of factsheets are all in Adobe PDF format. You will need an Adobe Reader installed on your system to view and print these documents.
Acid Rain
Air Toxics: Toxic air pollutants, also known as hazardous air pollutants, are those pollutants that are known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health effects, such as reproductive effects or birth defects. The Clean Air Act currently requires the EPA to regulate 188 toxic air pollutants. Toxic pollutants are emitted from a variety of sources, both large stationary sources, such as power plants, and many smaller area sources such as dry cleaners and even our cars. Examples of toxic air pollutants include benzene, which is found in gasoline; and tetrachloroethene (or perchloroethlyene), which is emitted from many dry cleaners. Did you know modeling performed by the EPA predicts that Montgomery County and its surrounding areas have levels of many air toxics in the 95th percentile?
Cities for Climate Protection - Resolution
Global Warming
Ground-Level Ozone: Ground level ozone is a colorless gas created when intense sunlight reacts with nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be found in the air we breathe. When ozone forms it can be harmful to our health—ozone inflames and can damage the lining of the lung. There are summer days when the region is above the health standard for ozone set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Find out what you can do to breathe easier.
Hybrid Electric Vehicles
Lawn and Garden Equipment: Emissions from lawn and garden equipment like lawnmowers, chain saws, leaf blowers, string trimmers and other gasoline powered outdoor equipment are a significant source of pollution. In fact, one gasoline powered lawnmower run for one hour emits ozone precursors equal to one car driven for 635 miles! Learn how you can make a difference.
National Ambient Air Quality Standards
Particulate Matter: Particulate matter includes dust, dirt, soot, smoke and liquid droplets. Particulate matter can either be directly emitted or formed in the atmosphere by reactions of fuel combustion gases. Particulate matter air pollution recently has been touted to be among one of the most harmful air pollutants. Inhaled particles can evade the respiratory system’s natural defenses and penetrate deep into the lungs causing both respiratory and cardiovascular disease. There will be days that this region will not be able to attain the new fine particulate matter health standard. Learn more about this hazy pollutant.
Stratospheric Ozone
Transportation and Air Quality