Ozone readings remain lower than expected

Ground-level ozone amounts across Missouri so far have come in mostly under allowable standard limits, despite several heat waves.

An environmental committee based in Perryville, Missouri, tracks ozone readings as it reviews potential implications for industry and economic development if Perry and Ste. Genevieve counties receive future designations as "non-attainment areas" by the Environmental Protection Agency, which has proposed new, lower standards.

Hot, humid weather can raise monitor readings, committee member David Grimes has said, and the committee looks out for higher readings at monitors in the two counties.

So far this summer, only two exceedances -- one at Farrar, Missouri, and one in St. Charles County -- have been recorded by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Grimes said Monday he was surprised there had been no additional exceedances during hot weather in the past two weeks.

Levels of ground-level ozone measured during the past several years at the monitors in Perry and Ste. Genevieve counties are just under the current allowable standard. The DNR will use a three-year average from 2013 to this year to make its designations, so ensuring 2015 comes in under the required level is paramount to planners.

Pertinent address:

Farrar, MO