Ground Level Ozone Pollution Regulation to Improve Cincinnati Air Quality

Abstract

Record ID: 258

Award(s): Excellence in Research Communication

Program Affiliation: Capstone

Presentation Type: Video

Abstract: Cincinnati has a history of consistently poor air quality which increases the prevalence of breathing issues in residents and decreases overall quality of life. The primary forms of pollution that contribute to this issue come from ground level ozone and particulate matter. Ground level ozone is created through the interaction of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, usually from vehicles, in the presence of sunlight. Hamilton county received a letter F ranking (the lowest score) for ozone pollution from the American Lung Association's 2023 State of the Air assessment because of frequent violations of the EPA Clean Air Act. Following the Green Cincinnati Plan's priority action to strengthen air emission regulations, this project seeks to recommend next steps in the process of improving this grading through pollution source management. By examining programs where local regulations are more stringent than those of the federal or state government, it can be determined if stricter regulations are feasible for Cincinnati.