Ozone in Sedgwick County

Sedgwick County > Community Development > Environmental Resources > Environmental Issues > Ozone

Ozone

Ozone is a chemical compound composed of three oxygen atoms. Ozone occurs naturally in the upper atmosphere approximately 10 to 30 miles above the earth’s surface. This ozone is beneficial since it protects us from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Ozone that forms at ground-level is bad.

Ground-level ozone is a man-made pollutant that forms when volatile organic compounds (VOCs) mix with nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the presence of heat and sunlight. More than half of these ozone-forming pollutants are caused by everyday actions, such as driving, painting, refueling and using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.

Harmful Effects

Prolonged exposure to ground-level ozone can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and lungs leading to inflammation, chest pains, and difficulty breathing. Ground-level ozone damages vegetation and reduces crop production. In Sedgwick County, the highest levels of ozone typically occur from April to September.

Measuring Air Quality and Ozone

The city of Wichita measures ground level ozone at four sites in Sedgwick County. A monitor at Peck records the level of ozone in the air as it blows into our community from the south. Readings taken at the monitor at 1900 E. Ninth St. are considered typical levels in the city. A monitor near Park City measures ozone in the air as it exits Wichita. The fourth monitor near Sedgwick was added in 2009. Three years’ data must be collected before adding this new site to the graph below.

Ozone readings from three consecutive years are averaged when determining a community’s ozone status. The levels of ozone in Sedgwick County are below the current .075 ppm ozone standard.

The summers of 2008 and 2009 were unseasonably mild. This cooler weather helped keep our ozone levels down. Should the summer of 2010 bring typical Kansas summer heat, then Sedgwick County could be approaching unhealthy levels of ozone in our air.

Stricter Standards

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is evaluating existing ozone standards throughout the country. They are expected to lower the requirements for air quality, specifically ozone, in Sedgwick County from 0.075 parts per million (ppm) to somewhere between 0.070 and 0.060 ppm.

The penalties for not meeting the federal standards could include 1) increased requirements for residents, such as mandatory vehicle-emissions testing; 2) increased requirements on industries that could affect a company’s plans to expand or relocate; 3) increased requirements for road projects to prove they don’t contribute to additional air pollution; and 4) a requirement to change the type of fuel used in vehicles, which is more expensive.

What can be done to decrease ground-level ozone?

Drive less. Use mass transit, carpool, bike or walk.
Adopt a personal no-idle policy. Idling for 30 seconds uses more fuel than shutting off and restarting your vehicle. Shut off your car while waiting for a train and think about not using the drive thru lane at the bank or your favorite fast food restaurant. Do NOT shut off your car, however, while you are waiting at a stop light.
Keep your vehicle properly maintained and tires properly inflated to improve fuel economy.
Refuel after 6 p.m., and don’t top off your gas tank. This reduces vapor loss during refueling.
Mow your lawn after 6 p.m. Use a no-spill gas can. Better yet, use an electric or push lawn mower. Avoid using gasoline-powered yard machines.
Use a propane gas grill instead of charcoal - they're more efficient!
If you use a charcoal grill, avoid using lighter fluid - use a charcoal chimney or electric starter to light your coals and barbecue after 6 p.m.
Don't burn leaves, trash or other materials. Use chimineas after 6 p.m.
Use less energy. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs and turn the air conditioner up a few degrees.
Mulch mow and compost yard waste.
Conserve electricity. Set your thermostat at 78 degrees in the summer. Turn off lights and appliances. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and LED lights to limit electricity use and heat.
Look for the Energy Star label when purchasing computers, TVs, DVDs, appliances, lighting, etc.
Dispose of household paints, solvents and pesticides properly - take them to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 801 Stillwell in Wichita. Store such materials in airtight containers.
Paint with a brush, not a sprayer and buy low VOC paints for indoor and outdoor painting jobs.

Want more information?

Watch a short video about ozone and the small changes you can make to help reduce it.

View a printable flier about ozone in Sedgwick County.

View Kansas Department of Health and Environmental air quality data for Sedgwick County.