Airwaves Newsletters	AVAQMD Press Releases	Media Articles
Vol. 11, No. 2 Winter '08	WILLIAM “PETE” KNIGHT MEMORIAL AIRE AWARD NOMINATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED
Vol. 11 No. 1 Sum'07	AIR DISTRICT OFFERS GRANTS FOR CLEANER HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLES & EQUIPMENT
Volume 10 No.1 Summer 06	AIR DISTRICT TO ASSIST FARMERS IN COMPLYING WITH NEW DIESEL ENGINE REQUIREMENTS
Volume 9 No. 1 Winter 05	AV SHATTERS OWN PREVIOUS CLEAN AIR RECORD THIS SUMMER
	"ANTELOPE VALLEY TEACHER TRIO RECEIVES WM. “PETE” KNIGHT AIRE AWARD"
	ANTELOPE VALLEY AQMD TURNS TEN YEARS OLD

AV SHATTERS OWN PREVIOUS CLEAN AIR
RECORD THIS SUMMER

Lancaster – Despite smoke from nearby fires that dimmed the Antelope Valley’s legendary blue skies in late October, the region’s 2007 ozone season turned out to be the cleanest in eight years. Officials at the Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District (AVAQMD) today announced that between May and October – the region’s traditional “smog” season – only 14 days exceeded the federal 0.08 parts per million (ppm), eight hour ozone standard, thus besting the previous clean air record – 16 days – set in 2006.

The 14 local exceedances also represented a 66% reduction from 2002, when 41days exceeded the federal eight-hour health standard within the local air district’s boundaries, which encompass the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale and unincorporated High Desert portions of northern Los Angeles County. The AVAQMD began utilizing the current eight-hour standard to report local levels of ozone – the primary component of photochemical smog – in 2000.

Not surprisingly, the Antelope Valley’s record-breaking smog levels compared favorably with concentrations measured in the South Coast Air Basin (SoCAB) - which includes Orange County and major portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties - and levels gauged in the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin (SJVAB). By the end of October, 79 days had exceeded the federal eight-hour ozone standard within the SoCAB’s boundaries, while 65 exceedances had been logged in the SJVAB.

Most of the Antelope Valley’s air pollution is not locally generated, but rather, transported into the area via prevailing winds from the nearby the Los Angeles Basin and San Joaquin Valley.
While October’s fires contributed to temporarily elevated levels of particulate matter in some areas of the Antelope Valley, ozone levels – which are primarily influenced by stationary and vehicular source emissions – were unaffected by the smoke. The Valley’s continuing population boom also did not put a dent in regional ozone levels, thanks to advances in cleaner fuels and vehicles, combined with local industry’s emission reduction efforts. “The District has succeeded in balancing the region’s explosive growth with continued air quality improvements and progress toward clean air goals,” said AVAQMD Executive Director Eldon Heaston.

Ground level ozone is a strong irritant that can cause constriction of the airways, forcing the respiratory system to work harder in order to provide oxygen. Children, the elderly and individuals with heart or lung disease are particularly susceptible to the effects of smog, which can also increase symptoms for individuals affected by asthma or bronchitis. For real time air quality data, visit the AVAQMD online at www.avaqmd.ca.gov.