County Reports Good Air Quality in 1997

A forgiving weather pattern helped Ventura County sail through the 1997 smog season with its best air quality record yet, according to the county’s Air Pollution Control District.

During this year’s smog season, which runs from May through October, national air quality standards for ozone were exceeded twice, according to Doug Tubbs, a manager with the agency. During the 1996 smog season, the county had 15 national air quality regulation violations. There were no health advisories issued during the 1997 season, he said.

Although the low number of violations is good news, Tubbs warned that the sharp decrease should be viewed in context of the year’s weather and not as a trend.

“Smog levels are part of a complex situation,” he said. “Year to year, you can’t tell if pollution levels are down. You have to look at 10 or 20 years, so you can smooth over variations in weather.”

Hot weather accompanied by high-pressure systems tends to cook the chemicals from car and factory emissions, creating ozone and smog. About half of the pollution in the county is caused by cars.

A lack of such a weather system this year contributed greatly to the region’s good report card, Tubbs said.

“Our long-term trend does show some improvement in the air quality,” he said. “Considering the increase in the population, it shows we’re on the right track.”