Division of Air Quality

Study Shows How Trees Help CREATE Smog

Laura Candler — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:30:00 +0000

A new study from researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has revealed exactly how trees play a role in smog production. The question has been a source of scientific uncertainty for years, and the findings are a milestone in air pollution research, with potentially significant implications for public health.

Greensboro Air Quality Improving, But Still Receives F-rating

Jeff Tiberii — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:37:17 +0000

The American Lung Association’s annual State of the Air report is out, and it slots Greensboro as the 42nd most polluted metro area in the county. The city received an F-rating.

Laura-Kate Bender, who worked on the report, says the news wasn’t all bad.

"Despite getting an ‘F,' the area actually got its lowest overall number of smog days," she says. "So even though it received a failing grade, it’s a significant improvement over last year."

Ready For Pollen Season? Here’s What You Should Know

Laura Candler — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 18:15:00 +0000

It’s April, and the scent of flowers is in the air. Unfortunately for allergy sufferers, those flowers also mean that it’s pollen season. North Carolina pollen counts have been mostly low so far this year, but in the past couple days the count has risen dramatically.

Ozone Levels Lower

Will Michaels — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 10:00:00 +0000

State health officials say fewer emissions from cars and industrial buildings cut down on air pollution this year. The annual ozone season officially ends today. There were 26 days in which ozone exceeded healthy levels. That's well below the 10-year average of 41 days. Division of Air Quality spokesman Tom Mather says recent numbers are lower despite back-to-back hot and dry summers.

Schools Adopt Air Quality Flag System

WUNC News — Sat, 07 May 2011 13:10:00 +0000

More schools around the state are flying color-coded flags to let students and staff know about poor air quality conditions. The flags correspond with the Air Quality Index. Health officials say people with breathing sensitivities should be careful on code orange, red, or purple days. Allison Davis with the E-P-A says the Triangle usually gets several code orange days each summer.

UNC Research Points To New Ozone Standard

Rose Hoban — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 22:00:00 +0000

On warm days like today, pollution in the air can produce excess ozone near the ground. And air quality officials often issue ozone alerts - warning people with breathing problems to reduce activity or stay indoors. But new research from UNC indicates the current acceptable ozone levels established by the Environmental Protection Agency might actually be too high.