Knoxville, TN Now Meets Smog Standards (TN)
(ATLANTA - Mar. 2, 2011) Today, the United
States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that the
Knoxville area meets the 1997 federal ozone standard. The Knoxville
area includes the following counties: Anderson, Blount, Jefferson,
Knox, Loudon, and Sevier Counties in their entireties, and the
portion of Cocke County that falls within the boundary of the Great
Smoky Mountains National Park.
"We commend local and state officials, as well
as the residents of the Knoxville area, who have been working
collaboratively with us to reach this milestone," said EPA Regional
Administrator Gwendolyn Keyes Fleming. “This accomplishment
signifies that the citizens of Knoxville are breathing cleaner air
and leading healthier lives. I look forward to our continuing to
work together on a regional and local basis to keep the air
clean.”
EPA's decision to redesignate the area to
attainment is based on air quality monitoring data through the
ozone season. The Knoxville area has made significant progress in
improving air quality and has reached an important clean air
milestone. Air in the Knoxville area is meeting the health based
standard set in 1997, and the area has in place measures and a plan
to ensure the area continues to meet this standard. This progress
is a result of hard work and great cooperation among local, state
and federal agencies, private partners and approximately a million
Tennesseans who live and work in the Knoxville area.
Ground level ozone is a primary component of smog. Smog is formed
when a mixture of air pollutants, primarily nitrogen oxides and
volatile organic compounds, are baked in the hot summer sun. These
pollutants are released from cars and factories. Ozone can cause
wheezing, shortness of breath and chest pain. Asthmatics, children
and older adults are especially at risk. However, even healthy
people may suffer adverse health effects when ozone concentrations
are high.
For more information on the Knoxville area
redesignation, visit http://www.epa.gov/region4/air/sips/