Gloucester County Air Quality Report Highlights Ozone Concerns

Although they're less susceptible to particulate pollution, Gloucester County residents should be significantly concerned about the air-quality hazards posed by ozone in the region.

That's according to “State of the Air 2013,” the latest report from the American Lung Association, which catalogues the air quality index across the country from 2009 through 2011.

The good news is that the county got a passing grade on its annual particle pollution score—which includes everything kicked up from construction and demolition work, road wear and transportation, and pollen, mold, and bacteria.

Gloucester County also got an "A" on its 24-hour particle pollution score, which calculates the average risk to respiratory health in a single day.

But ozone is a big threat in Gloucester County, with 24 "orange" days and 2 "red" ones noted in the report.

According to the air quality index, the orange code denotes a day in which "children, active adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion," according to the association. On "red" days, that warning is extended throughout the general population.

Those at risk from threats to the air quality in the region include seniors, children, and sufferers of asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

In Gloucester County, those numbers are as follows.

The Philadelphia greater metropolitan area is one of the worst in the country for air quality, the report noted. It's ranked 20th of 277 metro areas for high ozone days, 29th for 24-hour particle pollution and 11th for annual particle pollution.  

Want to take action on air quality issues? The report also includes a link to petitions supporting the Clean Air Act and automobile regulations as well as an infographic.