LAKE COUNTY ? The American Lung Association (ALA) has released its annual State of the Air Report for 2009. State and local area air quality was graded on an A through F scale by comparing local ozone and small-particulate concentrations with the federal air quality standards.
Although many areas, especially within California were given failing grades, Lake County passed with flying colors.
In awarding Lake County its coveted “A” grades, the ALA recognized it as having the lowest small-particulate concentrations in California and the 3rd lowest airborne small particulate concentrations in the entire United States. Lake County is one of only 12
Counties in California that did not have any days of ozone air pollution levels in the unhealthful range. Lake County is the only county in California to place in the top 10 cleanest counties in the country for small-particulate levels. Mendocino, Inyo, and
Nevada counties are the only other counties in California to make the top 25.
This impressive record has been documented by continuous air quality monitoring over the past three years, which showed that ozone and small particles in the air never exceeded allowable levels during that time.
The ALA grades are the latest recognition of a long history of air quality accomplishments in Lake County. Strong local support for clean air measures has enabled the county to comply in full with not only the Federal Clean Air Standards, but also with the more rigorous California standards for ozone and other air pollutants for the past 20 years. No other Air District in California can match that record.
Douglas Gearhart, Air Pollution Control Officer of the Lake County Air Quality Management District, attributes the success of the program to strong community support and cooperation of local agencies, the local Fire Protection Districts, CalFire, the local agricultural community, and industry. “It is great to have our local community nationally recognized by the American Lung Association for their desire to have and maintain clean and healthful air in Lake County.”
Douglas G. Gearhart is an air pollution control officer for Lake County Air Quality Management District.
