As the City of San Antonio grapples with the expected 'non attainment' of federal ozone standards, a study commissioned by the city shows dirty air can cost us a lot more than the potential annoyance of having to undergo annual vehicle emissions testing, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
The study, done by Ranboli Envion US Corporation, says exceeding the recommending ozone standards causes 19 deaths per year, with the resultant loss to the local economy of $170 million.
The study shows the value of working to reduce the city's ozone emissions, which mainly come from vehicle exhausts, to below the new standard of 70 ppb.
"The science is unanimous, ozone pollution compromises the health of our more sensitive residents, including children, the elderly, and people with existing respiratyr issues," said Dr. Colleen Bridger, who heads the Metro Health District. "Research has shown even healthy individuals are impacted by regular exposure to ozone pollution."
San Antonio for decades has managed to remain the largest metro area in the country which was still in compliance with federal limits on ozone pollution, until the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency earlier this year lowered the acceptable standard for ozone from 75 parts per billion to 70. That automatically places the city's 73 ppb ozone levels out of compliance.
The 'marginal' lack of compliance is not expected to trigger 'California style' emissions checks as part of our annual vehicle inspections, but it is expected to lead to new restrictions on new highway construction and existing highway expansion, encouragement for the construction of alternatives like light rail, and potential limits on the location and expansion of new industrial employers.
Conceivably, the EPA, in a worst case situation, has the authority to order all speed limits on highways in the metro area to be lowered to 55 mph.
For decades, San Antonio has held 'ozone action days' and 'air quality health alert days' to encourage people to do their part to keep the air clean. A new program, called 'Breathe Today, SA Tomorrow' will be launched to further drive home the message.
"The climate of Texas is rapidly changing in ways that will increase the health impacts of ozone pollution in San Antonio," City Chief Sustainability Officer Doug Melnick said. "People can help reduce air pollution by carpooling whenever possible, combining errands to save gas, keeping vehicle tires properly inflated, and postponing mowing or filling up your gas tank until after 6PM.
The city's ozone levels have nothing to do with sand or smoke being blown into the region from Africa or Central America. This is a completely different kind of pollution, which stems generally from internal cumbustion engines.