BY WILLIAM A. WEATHERS
The Cincinnati Enquirer
A smog alert will be in effect today after monitoring stations in Warren and Hamilton counties recorded air that exceeded the federal smog limit -- the first such violations in September in Greater Cincinnati in 10 years.
The Sycamore monitor on Grooms Road recorded an ozone level of 127 parts per billion (ppb) at 5 p.m. Sunday, said Judy Craig of the Regional Ozone Coalition. The federal standard is 124 ppb. At 6 p.m., the Lebanon monitor recorded 136 ppb.
"It's the temperature (high of 89 degrees) and lack of wind," said Harry St. Clair, supervisor of air monitoring and analysis for Hamilton County's Department of Environmental Services. Today's forecast calls for a high of 90 degrees and some clouds late in the day.
"Tomorrow (Monday) will be a lot like today," Paul Yeager, Accu Weather forecaster, said Sunday.
Several monitoring stations now have had two exceedances in the past three years, Mr. St. Clair said. "The moment we hit number four (at any one monitor), we're in violation," he said.
A violation -- more than three days over the limit at any one of the region's 10 ozone monitors -- could push the Tristate into a "serious containment" category and invite new restrictions on travel and industry.
It's unusual to have ozone-level exceedance this late in the summer, Mr. St. Clair said.
"At the end of August, we're usually either sitting back saying we made it or we didn't," Mr. St. Clair said. "It's been an unusual year. Go figure."
This year there were two exceedances in May -- one in Batavia in Ohio and one in Kenton County in Kentucky -- none in June, July or August, and now two more in September, he said.
Individuals can reduce pollutants by driving less and using Metro and Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky buses. It also helps to postpone refueling cars and trucks, mowing lawns and painting until after 6 p.m.
