How is Charlotte's Air
Quality?
Ozone and particulate matter
pollution continue to contribute to poor air quality in
Mecklenburg County.
Ozone
Currently, the ambient ozone
concentration exceeds the National Ambient Air Quality Standard
(NAAQS) by approximately 4%.
Particulate Matter
Particulate matter concentrations
rose above the annual health-based standard for the first time
in 2005.
Recent studies have indicated that air pollution may contribute
to causing asthma, especially in children who are active in
outdoor sports. Ozone — the most studied air pollutant — has
been found to contribute to asthma, lung infections, cell
inflammation, and shortness of breath. Particulate matter
pollution, present year-round in Mecklenburg County, can
increase risk of cancer, heart attack, heart arrhythmia, stroke
and asthma.
Mecklenburg County is projected by the North Carolina Division
of Air Quality modeling to meet the 8-hour ozone standard in the
time allowed, although the margin of error is small. Mecklenburg
County can meet the new PM 2.5 24-hour standard as proposed by
EPA, although 2005 data places us in jeopardy of violating the
current and proposed annual standard.
(source:
State of the Environment 2006)
