Monday is an Ozone Alert Day

[Hoss]

You are ignorant on the issue.

Tulsa's air quality is improving. Our ozone levels have gone down 10 of the past twelve years. Ozone readings are down 18% since year 2000.

Am I not mistaken in remembering Tulsa's to be a pilot program for ozone?  That's another one that cities look to us for guidance on (first flood mitigation, now ozone).

[RecycleMichael]

I thought there was a suspension to the Dirty Air List last year?  I thought I read that but haven't been able to prove it's been suspended.  Nor have I been able to prove it's in effect, either.

Last year, the Obama administration agreed to not add any new cities to the list. They are reviewing the regulatory limit. The American Lung Association wants to drop the limit from 75 parts per billion to 60 parts per billion (and they have health studies to verify that number). If that happens, almost every urbanized area in America would be in non-compliance.

The process takes a long time. Currently, the north Tulsa monitor has a three year average at 76 parts per billion. If it stays, then Tulsa has to write a letter to the Governor, who then writes a letter to EPA, who then has to submit paperwork to add a city to the list. It takes a year or two. We could be on the list in 2014.

[heironymouspasparagus]

You are ignorant on the issue.

Tulsa's air quality is improving. Our ozone levels have gone down 10 of the past twelve years. Ozone readings are down 18% since year 2000.

And we still have that greasy yellow haze.

18% in 12 years - just makes me wonder how much lower it would have been if we hadn't worked against aggressive efforts?  50%?  80%?  

[RecycleMichael]

Am I not mistaken in remembering Tulsa's to be a pilot program for ozone?  That's another one that cities look to us for guidance on (first flood mitigation, now ozone).

Tulsa's ozone alert program is widely considered to be the best voluntary program in the country.

[RecycleMichael]

And we still have that greasy yellow haze.

18% in 12 years - just makes me wonder how much lower it would have been if we hadn't worked against aggressive efforts?  50%?  80%?  

You are clueless.

Ozone is clear and transparent. You can't see it at all.

The greasy yellow haze you see must be dirt on your glasses.

[heironymouspasparagus]

You are clueless.

Ozone is clear and transparent. You can't see it at all.

The greasy yellow haze you see must be dirt on your glasses.

Maybe so... I've been clueless before and certainly didn't do well in chemistry.  But I do know that the haze is there - clean glasses notwithstanding - you can see it for yourself.  Anyone can; just drive out north and look back.  There must be something associated with the ozone issue that is causing that haze - an additional pollutant perhaps? 

So, that would seem to indicate there are other bad issues occurring that we are not addressing at all.  Back to the original post....

How is the incidence of allergy type issues in town?  All breathing related issues?  Better...worse...same? 

[Hoss]

Maybe so... I've been clueless before and certainly didn't do well in chemistry.  But I do know that the haze is there - clean glasses notwithstanding - you can see it for yourself.  Anyone can; just drive out north and look back.  There must be something associated with the ozone issue that is causing that haze - an additional pollutant perhaps? 

So, that would seem to indicate there are other bad issues occurring that we are not addressing at all.  Back to the original post....

How is the incidence of allergy type issues in town?  All breathing related issues?  Better...worse...same? 

It's likely particulates.  A look at this site makes it a little clearer (no pun intended).

[heironymouspasparagus]

It's likely particulates.  A look at this site makes it a little clearer (no pun intended).

Thanks.  That is interesting site.

There has to be something solid (particulate) to refract to get the color.  I guess diesel exhaust could be one contributor.  One thing I do know is that it somewhat coincided with the ascendency of the RWRE in this state and country.  It tells me that in addition to their toxic politics, there is also a toxic exhaust component they are contributing - and THOSE particulates are particularly disturbing....lol.

[RecycleMichael]

One thing I do know is that it somewhat coincided with the ascendency of the RWRE in this state and country. 

No, it didn't.

Again, please don't make this political.

[heironymouspasparagus]

No, it didn't.

Again, please don't make this political.

Ok, ok....  I put lol at the end of that - that's supposed to make it mean "just kidding"!!

[Red Arrow]

The greasy yellow haze you see must be dirt on your glasses.

Maybe cataracts.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Maybe cataracts.

Wow!!  Directional cataracts!!  There should be a military application for that somewhere - in stealth technology.

[Conan71]

Maybe cataracts.

Cataracts cause pollution, so do those gas-guzzling Rincolns 

[patric]

Maybe cataracts.

Maybe refineries,
manufacturing other communities gasoline that we arent allowed to use here.

[RecycleMichael]

Rough day today...

The eight hour average at the central Tulsa monitor shows 76 parts per billion and the north Tulsa monitor shows 79 parts per billion.