News Releases - 2003

Illinois EPA Releases 2002 Annual Air Quality Report:
Air Quality Continues To Improve

Springfield, Ill. -- The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency today released the 32nd Annual Air Quality Report showing air quality throughout the State was good or moderate 89 percent of the days in 2002.

Over the last twenty years, the State has experienced an on-going trend of decreased days where levels were above the federal one-hour and eight-hour standards for ground-level ozone or smog. One-hour exceedance days have decreased 30 percent for the years 1993-2002 compared to 1983-1992, and eight-hour exceedance days have decreased 59 percent for the same time periods.

“It is encouraging to see how air quality has improved over the last twenty years but we must continue to challenge ourselves to do better,” said Governor Rod Blagojevich.

Contained in the annual IEPA report is data collected from the Agency’s air-monitoring network consisting of more than 200 monitors statewide. The monitors measure for pollutants with a federal health based standard, known as criteria pollutants, including ozone and fine particulate matter (PM2.5).

Ozone is of particular concern, as the Chicago metropolitan area, like other large metropolitan areas in the nation, currently does not meet the federal health based standard for ozone in part due to the higher density population and more vehicles on the road.

Incorporating the Air Quality Index, the report shows that Illinois registered 38 days when air quality was not either “green” (good) or “yellow” (moderate). Thirty-four days were considered to be “orange” (unhealthy for sensitive groups) and four days reached the level of “red” (unhealthy).

“Through a number of programs administered by the Agency, we project air pollutions trends will continue to decrease,” said Illinois EPA Director Renee Cipriano. “It is the goal of the Agency to achieve healthy air quality for all residents of Illinois.”

Illinois has experienced an on-going trend of decreased emissions as a result of regulatory programs impacting industry as well as the voluntary efforts of individual citizens and the Partners for Clean Air Ozone Action Day program.

Partners for Clean Air, formed in 1995, has recruited more than 300 businesses, government entities and other organizations who have pledged to take actions that reduce air pollution. Additionally, the Illinois EPA and Partners Clean Air have sponsored “Green Pays on Green Days”, a summer educational initiative in the Chicagoland area that rewards individual citizens for participating in activities that reduce air pollution.

A grand prize drawing for a donated new 2004 Toyota Prius electric-hybrid car was held on Thursday, Sept. 25.

“While we celebrate the achievements in air quality, further challenges and improvements must be met in the future to protect the air breathed by Illinois residents, particularly children and sensitive groups such as the elderly,” said Director Cipriano.

The Illinois EPA anticipates further reductions of pollutants from industrial sources as new regulations take effect.

One new state-adopted rule, effective May 1, 2003, requires 103 electric generating units in Illinois to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions, an ingredient of ground-level ozone, by more than 63,000 tons annually. Illinois was the first state in the Midwest to require such significant reductions.

“Governor Blagojevich has also directed the Illinois EPA to develop additional tighter emission limits for the State’s power plants,” added Director Cipriano. “As part of that process, we have been mandated by law to determine the extent to which tighter regulations would benefit the environment while utilizing Illinois’ vast coal resources.”

Illinois continues to work towards meeting the federal one-hour standard for ozone, and anticipates guidance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on implementing rules to meet the more stringent eight-hour ozone and fine particulate matter standards.

The 2002 Air Quality Report is now available on the Illinois EPA web site. Printed copies may be requested from the Illinois EPA's Bureau of Air at 217-782-9315.

(A list of the Partners for Clean Air Ozone Action Day “Top Ten Tips” below.– While these activities are highly encouraged on Ozone Action Days, they are also beneficial every day as they reduce pollutants that contribute to the formation of smog and fine particulate matter)

Ozone Action Day -- “Top Ten Tips”

1. Limit driving – rideshare, carpool, walk or bike.
2. Take public transportation -- CTA, Metra or Pace.
3. If you must drive, avoid excessive idling and abrupt starts.
4. Refuel your car after 7 p.m., when sunlight is not as strong.
5. Avoid using gasoline-powered recreational vehicles.
6. Defer lawn mowing and gardening chores that use gasoline-powered equipment.
7. Choose water-based paints instead of oil-based.
8. Use a charcoal chimney or electric starter instead of charcoal lighter fluid when using a barbecue grill.
9. Limit use of household and personal products that cause fumes.
10. Conserve energy at home to reduce energy needs from power plants.