Temperatures soared into the 90s on Monday and Tuesday, leaving a record amount of toxins in Boston’s air, according to the Sierra Club, a national environmental organization.
“This toxic stew in the air, running for 27 days straight, has been unmatched for 18 years,” said Sierra Club representative Jeremy Marin.
The major cause, explained American Lung Association Director Carlos Alvarez, is car exhaust. Exhaust emits ozone, a toxic chemical created when sunlight and nitrogen dioxide combine. During peak traffic hours, congestion forms ground level ozone.
“Until Massachusetts gets serious about public transportation, days like this will persist whenever there is such heat,” Marin cautioned. The intense summer heat poses the true threat to Massachusetts residents’ health, though smog season generally runs from May to October, Marin said.
“Nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds are emitted from vehicles every day of the year,” he said. “It is on hot days that this toxic stew becomes even more dangerous.”
Air pollutants result in an increased risk of chronic bronchitis, lung cancer and other respiratory diseases, according to the American Lung Association.
Marin claimed these problems will persist until Massachusetts residents choose to focus on alternate transportation choices.
“Massachusetts has the potential to develop a North-South rail link that would connect North and South Station, keeping tens of thousands of cars off the road each day,” he said.
Alvarez said the irritants affect everybody’s respiratory systems, but are especially dangerous for children and the elderly. He suggested severely curbing vigorous activities during hot days.
“Elderly with underdeveloped or collapsed lungs, asthmatics and those with emphysema and lung disease should not even leave the house and certainly not exercise on these days,” he said.
The Environmental Protection Agency has monitoring stations across the country to regulate compliance with the Clean Air Act. There are 13 in Massachusetts.
The American Lung Association uses the EPA’s air samples to issue reports by zip code on air quality. In May, designated clean air month, they gave “F” grades to seven of the nine Massachusetts counties. The Bay State ranks 33rd nationally in air quality and eighth in traffic congestion.
Massachusetts’ unhealthiest air is now found in Bristol County, according to the report.
While these negative reports do not necessarily indicate a region is not in compliance with the Clean Air Act, “the air is still dirtier than it needs to be,” said Alvarez. “In compliance can still mean harmful for someone’s health.”
Regions with exemplary air quality include Honolulu, Haw. Spokane, Wash. and Lincoln, Neb.
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