Behind the Headlines

Since a coworker was just singing “Do you know the muffin man…” that’s all I could come up with.
But this is about Ozone. Even with the intense heat and glaring sun of the last few days, no Ozone Action days were called. SEMCOG explains why:

Heat wave, but no Ozone Action days

“Although Southeast Michigan is in the midst of the summer’s first intense heat wave, no Ozone Action days have been called in Southeast Michigan. Why?

According to SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, the good news is that the air in Southeast Michigan is cleaner! Even though it’s been hot, favorable winds have been mixing with clean air from the U.S. and Canadian border region, not allowing the air to become stagnant and produce the high levels of harmful ozone.

Historically, this time of year is the worst for ozone. In previous years, projected 90-degree temperatures, especially during this time of the summer, was a nearly certain call for an Ozone Action day. However, as pollution levels have been dropping over the past few years and changing the atmospheric chemistry, Ozone Action days are less of a “given.”
State meteorologists expect a cold front making its way through the state will keep pollution levels in the “good” range the rest of the week. No Ozone Action days will be called through Friday, July 13.

Air monitors in Southeast Michigan show that we’re in compliance with the national ozone standard. Last year marked the third straight year in which we’ve had no ozone violations. We need to continue our good habits.

Beginning this year, all gasoline sold in Southeast Michigan from June 1-September 15 will be lower vapor pressure. This fuel is less volatile than conventional gasoline and reduces evaporative emissions. It will help keep the air cleaner.

The region has had one Ozone Action day so far this summer on June 18. Last summer, two Ozone Action days were called. The average number of Ozone Action days per season is 10. In 2004, just one Ozone Action day was called; the highest was 25 in 1999.”Hmmm. Lower vapor pressure? What’s that all about? I’ll look into it.