Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials issued an air pollution advisory that the levels of ozone pollution at the Park are have reached a level that poses a threat to the health of Park visitors and are expected to remain high throughout the day and tomorrow as well they advise that visitors may wish to refrain from strenuous outdoor activities while this condition is in effect for the remainder of today and tonight. People with respiratory problems, especially, should limit their outdoor activity.
Under federal and state human health standards in Tennessee and North Carolina, an 8-hour average ozone concentration of 76 parts per billion (pbb) or greater is considered unhealthy to certain people.  At 9:00 a.m. the 8-hour average ozone levels in the Park ranged from 87 ppb at Clingmans Dome to 77 ppb at Look Rock. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has identified several groups of people who are at risk (1) those with respiratory problems such as emphysema, asthma, chronic bronchitis and heart problems; (2) individuals engaging in strenuous outdoor exercise either recreationally or at work; (3) children at play; (4) elderly; and (5) a few otherwise healthy individuals who are especially sensitive to air pollution and suffer greater loss of lung function than the general population.
Park officials say that this is the 11th unhealthy day that the Park has documented in 2008, but this is the first advisory issued. The previous exceedances began so late in the day that visitor exposure would be minimal.   Natural ozone levels are estimated to be between 15-40 ppb.
Natural fine particle levels are estimated to be 3-5 μg/m3.  Ozone pollution also is causing visible leaf damage to at least 30 species of vegetation at the Park.  Particle pollution contributes to acid deposition, which is harming streams and forests, and regional haze which impairs viewing scenery. Real-time Park Air Quality information is available at: http://www.nature.nps.gov/air/webcams/parks/grsmcam/grsmcam.cfm

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