The Front Range this weekend saw some of the highest levels of ozone for the year, making it more difficult for the region to stay in compliance with federal clean air rules.
Monitors scattered throughout the Denver-area on Saturday registered levels of ozone far above the federal health-based standard of 80 parts per billion.
Some of those readings include: 97 parts per billion in Fort Collins, 94 parts per billion at the former Rocky Flats site and the National Renewable Energy Lab in Golden.
The levels recorded this weekend raises the region’s three-year average, which federal environmental regulators use to measure compliance with the Clean Air Act.
“It means we’re still in attainment, but the cushion for next year has been reduced,” said Ken Lloyd, executive director of the Regional Air Quality Council.
Ozone is the prime ingredient in urban smog. High levels of the pollutant can trigger respiratory problems for the young, old and sick.
Staff writer Kim McGuire can be reached at 303-820-1240 or at kmcguire@denverpost.com.
