Advocacy & Safety - Smog update

After checking the Environmental Division's raw data for ozone (smog) levels, instead of the "8-hour rolling average" graphs, it is clear that smog levels are much higher than I thought.

If you check the EPA's AIRNOW website, and you are from Atlanta, make sure you check the raw data. These are the current ozone level readings. The 8-hour averages show much lower levels than what are actually being detected.

It was bad yesterday. A co-worker was unable to even stand outside for a break because of the air quality, or lack thereof. I felt terrible after only 2-3 miles. I pressed on anyway.
Hopefully last night's rain helped.

It's been BEAUTIFUL for the past 18 months here in SoCal. No rain, haven't missed a day of riding in almost 2 years. By the ocean, we've had 68 degree weather most of these 18 months with a nice onshore breeze blowing all the smog inland. Its been GREAT!

I went out yesterday for my 2 mile walk at lunch and didn't notice anything unusual. Maybe it's because I work in Norcross and the smog doesn't head out this way until later in the day.
Perhaps all the "Gwinnnettians" bring the smog and pollution with them in the I-85 traffic mess. :mad:

Thanks LBM. Didn't realize I was looking at 8 hr. averages. The explains why it peaked soo late in the day.

Kevin S.

Originally posted by Kevin S
Thanks LBM. Didn't realize I was looking at 8 hr. averages. The explains why it peaked soo late in the day.


Ozone peaks late in the day because it is generated by sunlight reacting with hydrocarbon and oxides of nitrogen emissions, and because of downwind transport. In the Los Angeles area, for example, high ozone and nitrogen dioxide peaks hit the [inland] San Gabriel Valley area very late in the afternoon. Much of this ozone results from solar cooking of emissions near the coast.