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Home , Air pollution, Pollutant, Pollution

The Mission Statement of the NJDEP To assist the residents of New Jersey in preserving, sustaining, protecting and enhancing the environment to GETTING ensure the integration of high , public and economic vitality. We will accomplish our mission in partnership with the general public, business, TO KNOW environmental community and all levels of government.

Speak out for clean air. Let your local officials know that you are concerned ABOUT AIR about the effect air may be having on your health, and that you would support stronger pollution control measures. For more information Contact: POLLUTION • New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Air Quality Bureau of Air Quality Evaluation 401 East State St. P.O. Box 027 Trenton, NJ 08625 (609) 633-1110

NJDEP websites: • Air Compliance & Enforcement: www.nj.gov/dep/enforcement/air.html • Air Monitoring: www.nj.gov/dep/airmon • Air Toxics: www.nj.gov/dep/airtoxics • Air Quality Planning: www.nj.gov/dep/baqp • Air Quality Permitting: www.nj.gov/dep/aqpp • : www.nj.gov/dep/airtoxics/asthma.htm • : www.nj.gov/dep/ej

New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services website: • Asthma: www.state.nj.us/health/fhs/asthma.pdf

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency websites: • : www.epa.gov/airnow • Office of Children’s Health Protection: http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/homepage New Jersey • & Health Risk: www.epa.gov/oar/oaqps/air_risc/3_90_022.html Department of James E. McGreevey, Governor Environmental Bradley M. Campbell, Commissioner 9/2004 Protection What is Air Pollution? diagnosed with asthma, which can make them more sensitive to air Health effects Causes damage to the and other parts of the body’s Air pollution is the result of pollution. In general, children and nervous system. Children are most susceptible to the air being contaminated by the elderly are also more sensitive effects of lead. emitted from power to air pollution. Where it comes from Mostly from a few industrial facilities, but also from the , factories, motor vehicles sanding or wearing away of old lead-based . (e.g. , buses) and many other Are There Federal Pollutant sources, including products we to Control use in our homes. The pollutants Health effects Weakens the heart’s contractions and lowers the amount of Air Pollution? carried by the blood. It reduces your ability to that contribute to air pollution are exercise and is dangerous for people with chronic heart , carbon monoxide, lead, The Clean Air Act requires the disease. It can cause nausea, dizziness, headaches, and particulate matter, when it’s very concentrated, even death. When carbon Environmental Protection Agency monoxide reaches unhealthy levels, people with heart dioxide, dioxide, and a (USEPA) to establish regulations disease are most at risk. variety of other chemicals that limit and control the amount of referred to as “air toxics.” The Where it comes from Primarily from motor vehicles, but also from incomplete pollutants emitted into the air in burning of any fuel. impact of air pollution depends on order to protect . Also, the amount of pollution in the air it required the development of Pollutant and an individual’s health status. National Ambient Air Quality Health effects Irritates the nose and throat. Appears to increase Standards (NAAQS). Primary susceptibility to respiratory infections. Also combines What Are the Effects of NAAQS are protective of people with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to form ozone. When nitrogen dioxide reaches unhealthy levels, children Air Pollution? (including sensitive such and people with are most at risk. as asthmatics), while secondary Where it comes from Power plants, large industrial facilities, and motor vehicles. Exposure to high levels of air NAAQS address impacts on crops, pollution can cause a wide range and property. The Act Pollutant of effects, from eye irritation and requires States to enforce these runny nose to and birth regulations in order to ensure that all Health effects Aggravates existing diseases, especially . Constricts the breathing passages, especially in asthmatic defects. Air pollution can also Americans have the same health people and people doing moderate to heavy exercise. cause heart and lung disease, and and environmental protection. Causes wheezing, , and coughing. brain and nerve damage. High levels of appear to worsen the effect of sulfur dioxide, and long-term exposures to both pollutants to higher rates of respiratory illness. How Many People Are When sulfur dioxide reaches unhealthy levels, people Affected by Air Pollution? with asthma are most at risk. Where it comes from Power plants, large industrial facilities, diesel vehicles, and All of NJ’s 8 million residents even -burning home heaters. are breathing in unhealthy amounts of ozone pollution at some point during the . Approximately 620,000 NJ residents have been How Does Air Pollution Directly What is New Jersey Act in 1970. After decades of Affect My Health? Doing to Control Air regulations on mobile and Pollution? stationary sources of air pollution, Pollutant Ozone New Jersey has made great strides, but is still out of Health effects Irritates the and breathing passages, causing coughing New Jersey Department of compliance for ozone. Air toxics and pain in the chest and throat. Increases susceptibility to Environmental Protection (DEP) respiratory infections and reduces the ability to exercise. and fine particulates also remain a has long been in the forefront with Effects are more severe in people with asthma and other public health concern in New respiratory ailments. Long-term exposure may lead to programs aimed at cleaning the Jersey. scarring of lung tissue and lowered lung efficiency. When air. New Jersey was the first state ozone reaches unhealthy levels, active children and adults, How Harmful is and people with asthma are most at risk. to implement an inspection and maintenance program for motor Particulate Matter? Where it comes from Ozone does not come directly from tailpipes or vehicles in February 1974. In the smokestacks. Ozone is created by the chemical reaction between volatile organic compounds (VOC) and nitrogen early 1970s, NJ enacted rules to Protecting the public from in the presence of . The VOCs that form control open burning, particulate the harmful effects of air ozone come from vehicle and industrial exhaust as well as matter emissions from fuel pollution is the primary goal of evaporation of , solvents and , and many other sources. Nitrogen are formed when fuel is and the Clean Air Act. In 1997, burned at high from sources like electric processes, and to establish a USEPA set new particulate , motor vehicles and residential heating. permit process for facilities. matter standards for very fine The NJ Air Pollution Control particulate matter known as Pollutant Particulates Act resulted in reducing air PM2.5 (smaller than 2.5 microns Health effects Aggravate existing heart and lung diseases, change the pollution emissions from power in diameter - much smaller than body’s defenses against inhaled materials, and damage lung tissue. The elderly, children and those with chronic lung or plants, factories and many more the width of a hair). The heart disease are most sensitive. Lung impairment can sources. States develop state new standards reflect recent persist for 2-3 weeks after exposure to high levels of implementation plans (SIPs) that studies showing that fine particulate matter. When PM2.5 reaches unhealthy levels, explain how each state will do its people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and can cause very serious children are most at risk. job under the Clean Air Act. A health effects-including an state implementation plan is a increase in respiratory illness Where it comes from Particulates can be emitted directly into the air in the form of dirt, , and from many kinds of air collection of the regulations a and even premature deaths - at pollution sources. Particulates are also formed in the state will use to clean up polluted very low levels. Programs to as a result of chemical reactions between areas. The DEP involves the achieve the new standards will pollutants emitted by fuel burning in diesel cars, and buses, power plants, and other sources. public, through hearings and provide additional protection to opportunities to comment, in the all NJ residents, but most Pollutant Air Toxics development of their state importantly to residents living in Health effects With increased exposure the risk of developing cancer, implementation plans. urban areas and high traffic birth defects, learning disabilities, heart and lung desease, New Jersey has worked at areas where the current and brain and nerve damage is increased. complying with the National standards are is not being met. Where it comes from Factories, refineries, power plants, cars, trucks, buses and Ambient Air Quality Standards cleaning products. since the passage of the Clean Air What Can You Do to Protect Yourself and AQI Category VERY UNHEALTHY Your Family? Health Effects Increasingly severe symptoms and impaired breathing likely in active children and adults, and people with heart and/or lung diseases, such as asthma; increasing Are you or someone in your family sensitive to ozone or fine likelihood of respiratory effects in general . particulates? Children, the elderly, people with breathing problems Actions to Take Active children and adults, and people with respira- such as asthma, and adults who are active outdoors, including outdoor tory diseases, such as asthma, should avoid all workers and healthy exercisers are all considered “sensitive groups”. outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion. They are the first to feel the effects of ozone air pollution and need AQI Index Values 201-300 to take extra steps to protect themselves from harm. For fine particulates, the most sensitive people are all those who react to ozone, AQI Category UNHEALTHY plus people with heart conditions. Health Effects Greater likelihood of respiratory symptoms and Keep track of air pollution levels. Find out if the Air Quality Index breathing difficulty in active children and adults, and people with heart and/or lung diseases, such as asthma; is reported by your local newspaper or radio station, which will give possible respiratory effects in general population. you the previous day’s information and today’s forecast. You may also Actions to Take Active children and adults, and people with heart find your local air quality forecast by watching NJ Network or other problems such as congestive heart failure or TV broadcasts or by calling 1-800-782-0160 for a recorded summary of respiratory diseases, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially the day’s forecast. children, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. If the air quality is unhealthy, you may need to adjust your plans for the AQI Index Values 151-200 day. Avoid prolonged vigorous activity outdoors. The health effects of ozone are worsened over extended periods of exposure, and by the deep, AQI Category UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS rapid breathing that accompanies exercise. Plan the most strenuous Health Effects Increasing likelihood of heart or respiratory symptoms and breathing discomfort in active children and adults, activities for the early morning hours, before ozone levels climb. On days and for people with lung diseases, such as asthma. with high levels of fine particulate, even the early morning hours can be Actions to Take Active children and adults, and people with heart unhealthy. So on high particulate days, strenuous outdoor activities should and/or lung diseases, such as asthma, should limit be avoided throughout the day. prolonged outdoor or heavy exertion. Avoid driving on high ozone days. Instead take mass transit, walk AQI Index Values 101-150 or share a ride or pool. AQI Category MODERATE What is the Air Quality Index (AQI)? Health Effects Unusually sensitive individuals may experience breathing problems. The AQI is a way to report past and future air quality. It compares pollutant levels to their health standards, takes into account multiple Actions to Take Unusually sensitive individuals should consider

Air Quality Index (AQI) Categories (AQI) Air Quality Index limiting prolonged outdoor exertion. pollutants and assigns an air quality rating like “good” or “unhealthy.” The AQI Index Values 51-100 AQI focuses on health effects you may experience within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air. The five pollutants used in the AQI are AQI Category GOOD those for which there are national health standards: carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ground-level ozone, particulates and sulfur dioxide. AQI Index Values 0-50