Burning the Future: Coal in America

Nitrogen Oxide/Smog/Ozone

Smog or ozone pollution occurs when nitrogen oxides (NOx) combine with other chemicals, usually on relatively still summer days.  Most large urban areas in the U.S. do not meet health-based standards for ozone.  They are designated as “ozone non-attainment areas.”  Automobile exhaust is responsible for much of the high NOx concentrations in urban areas, but electric utilities account for 22 percent of all NOx emissions in the U.S. and air modeling reveals that for many areas a substantial amount of the ozone components on days when unhealthy levels occur, drift in from coal plants, often many miles up wind.

1. Map of U.S. ozone non-attainment counties
2. EPA description of ozone and its effects. here
3. American Lung Association description of ozone and its effects.  here
4. American Lung Association 1st recommendation for Ways to Clean Up Our Air - Clean up coal-fired power plants.  Note Emerging Concerns at the bottom of page.