There were no days last year when the reading exceeded state and
federal standards
Gilroy – South County’s air quality has improved slightly over the last year, according to figures released this week by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
Last year, the maximum ozone readings in Gilroy and San Martin were about 9 parts per 100 million, compared to 12 in 2002 and 11 in 2003.
There were no days last year when the readings exceeded state and federal standards. Average readings, however, have been static at about 2.5 part per 100 million.
“While there were some positive readings, it was a relatively cleaner year than past years,” said Luna Salaver of the BAAQMD. “Ozone is a gas that we do not want in our breathing space.”
Ozone occurs naturally in the atmosphere but is dangerous at ground level. It triggers asthma and exacerbates respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis. Salaver attributed the decline to tighter regulation on power plants and other industrial polluters and improved automobile technology. She said last year’s relatively cool summer temperatures also helped.
But not all the air quality news has been positive. In April, the American Lung Association gave Santa Clara County an “F” in a study measuring particulate matter and ozone levels, and many environmental activists are concerned that the new Calpine power plant in Coyote will harm the atmosphere.
“It raises concerns about air quality, but it may be a necessary evil because we do need to have energy,” said Joan Spencer, a Gilroy activist who was recently named a Clean Air Champion by the BAAQMD. “But there has to be a give and take somewhere to do something about our air quality problems.”
Salaver dismissed the ALA report, saying that it was not based on sound scientific data.
“If you look at the monthly data, it shows an improvement over last year, so we’re confused about the grade,” she said.
