Delaware air quality below standard -

Too many chemical plants and oil refineries w/lax control and WAY too much traffic in New Castle County!

Group: Del. air quality below standard
State's ozone, fine dust pollution high; unhealthy 'very fine dust' in NCCo
By JEFF MONTGOMERY / The News Journal
04/29/2005

Delaware's air quality improved slightly in recent years, but still generally flunks basic standards for ozone and fine dust pollution, the American Lung Association said in a report released Thursday.

Although conditions have improved nationally and in neighboring states, about 52 percent of the nation's population lives in areas with seasonally high levels of ozone, soot or both. About 20 percent are exposed to higher levels of soot year-round, and 49 percent to excessive ozone.

All three Delaware counties experienced high levels of ozone pollution between 2001 and 2003. New Castle County residents, especially in Wilmington, also were exposed to unhealthy levels of very fine dust. State records for 2004, however, show no reported ozone violations, one of the best showings since 1982.

Ozone can burn sensitive lung tissues and cause serious problems for young children, senior citizens and people with respiratory problems. Fine particles also contribute to asthma and other respiratory problems and can help carry toxic compounds deep into lung tissues.


http://www.delawareonline.com/newsjournal/local/2005/04/29groupdelairqual.html