Tennessee Environmental Council

Ozone

TN Facts:

Ozone, or "smog," is a powerful gas (O3) made up of 3 oxygen molecules. When ozone is high in the upper atmosphere it helps protect us from ultraviolet rays. But ground level ozone that reaches people irritates the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. It is formed at ground level when nitrogen oxides mix with hydrocarbon vapors (emitted by power plants, vehicles, and industrial facilities) in the presence of sunlight.
An "Ozone Alert" is a warning issued via TV/radio on days when ozone levels exceed the "8 hour ozone standard". The alert indicates that ground level ozone is at dangerous levels (denser than 85 parts per billion (ppb) for an average of 8 or more hours).
A color-code is used to communicate ozone health risks for a given period:
- Orange (85-104 ppb): unhealthy for sensitive groups
- Red (105-124ppb) unhealthy
- Purple (125-374ppb) very unhealthy

The number of high ozone days per year is a factor of pollution emitted, weather patterns, and topography (especially when air becomes trapped in one place).

In 2000, 2001, and 2002 respectively, the following cities ranked in the top 25 most ozone-polluted cities in the nation: Knoxville, TN (8th, 9th, 12th); Nashville, TN (18th, 16th, 18th); Chattanooga (24th, 25th, N/A). Even worse, the tops of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park can often be more polluted than Atlanta, New York, or Los Angeles.

TEC Efforts:

Advocating for air toxic regulations in Tennessee that go beyond federal laws.
Participating as a member of the TN Clean Air Task Force (TCATF), a coalition formed to reduce air pollution from TVA's 11 coal-fired power plants in Tennessee. Activities include: holding press conferences, conducting interviews with reporters, raising issues at meetings of the Air Pollution Control Board, and meeting with staff and management of the Air Pollution Control Division of TDEC.
Working with the Department of Environment and Conservation to improve efficiency of air pollution permitting process without weakening statewide standards or lessening public participation.
Participating extensively in the Tennessee Pollution Prevention Roundtable (P2R) that aims to achieve voluntary toxics reductions by the industries of TN.
Helped organized local opposition to the construction and operation of proposed power plants in Memphis and Jackson, preventing projected emission of more than 248 tons of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide.
Represented environmental interests on the TVA Green Group, a coalition of organizations that meets regularly with and provides input to TVA on their programs and policies.

Contacts / Links:

American Lung Association www.lungusa.org
Clean Air Task Force www.cleartheair.org
Green Power Switch www.tva.com/greenpowerswitch

What You Can Do:

High standards for Tennessee's air
Coal-fired power plants being held to modern pollution control standards
Emissions standards for CO2 and Mercury, as these harmful chemicals are unregulated
Cleaner energy sources
Swift and secure steps by the state of Tennessee toward submission and implementation of plans to reduce NOx emissions. This issue is referred to as NOx SIP Call -- NOx State Implementation Plan Call
Denying new merchant power plant permits to operate in Tennessee

Conserve energy in your home and workplace
Sign up for Green Power through your local power company (www.tva.com/greenpowerswitch)
Buy fuel efficient vehicles and keep them in good operating condition
Use energy efficient appliances (more info available through the EPA's Energy Star program www.energystar.gov)
Sign up for Tennessee Environmental News (T.E.N.) here on TEC's website to receive regular email updates about ozone forecasting in Tennessee