LOCAL LEVELS OF OZONE PEAK IN MOUNTAIN AND DESERT AREAS

By Miriam Raftery

January 30, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – You might be surprised to learn where the highest levels of ozone pollution are in San Diego County. Hint: it’s not urban areas in local cities, but rather, communities in East County’s mountains and desert areas.

According to a new map from the California Environmental Protection Agency, the highest local ozone level is in Alpine at .057 parts per million, followed by Borrego Springs and Warner Springs at .055 parts per million.

That data is for average 8-hour maximums in 2012 and 2013.

According to information provided by U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, those levels slightly exceed the maximum ozone level of .05 ppm per day advised for people doing heavy work, but is below the .01 ppm level per day for people doing light work.

For everyone, Ozone levels should never exceed 0.1 ppm for 8 hours of exposure daily, according to OSHA.

Ozone, the main component in smog, can cause lung irritation and inflammation. Even low levels can worsen certain chronic health conditions such as asthma. Ozone levels are usually worse in hot weather and during the afternoons.

Pollutants from vehicles, farms or factories that reacts in sunlight to form ozone. Ozone also contributes to the greenhouse gas effect, exacerbating climate change.