Source: NC CLIMATE OFFICE, 10/23/18

It's been more than four years since we checked in with our partners at the NC Division of Air Quality about the state of air quality in North Carolina. Over the next two weeks, the NC DAQ team of air quality forecasters will offer some updates in a series of guest blog posts.

North Carolina's air quality has improved dramatically over the past decade. This is especially true with regards to ozone concentrations. Prior to 2012, we typically saw 50 or more days each year in which our air quality monitors measured ozone concentrations above what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined -- through the latest scientific and medical research -- to be unhealthy for sensitive groups (Code Orange on the Air Quality Index scale).

In 2012, there were 30 days where at least one monitor measured at or above the Code Orange range. That number has continued to decline annually since then, with each of the past 6 years having no more than 12 exceedance days when measured against the new, stricter 2015 ozone standard of 70 parts per billion. The decline in ozone is primarily due to the reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions from power plants and motor vehicles, which have fallen by more than 50% since 2002.

For the full report, click here.