As The Masters brings more traffic, Augustans face elevated levels of ground-level ozone and particulate matter. However, certain experts suggest this isn’t particularly worrisome.
Ground-level ozone acts as a carcinogen and can impact our lungs, particularly for those with preexisting breathing problems," explained Andrew Kingston, chief meteorologist at the South Carolina Department of Environmental Control. "The primary factor contributing to increased ozone pollution is typically emissions from various burning processes.
To put it differently, increased traffic can lead to higher levels of detrimental emissions.
The Environmental Protection Agency sets up an Air Quality Advisory for five key pollutants governed under the Clean Air Act. These contaminants each have a nationwide air quality threshold established by the EPA to safeguard public health. The listed pollutants encompass:
- Ground-level ozone
- Particle pollution (also called particulate matter)
- Carbon monoxide
- Sulfur dioxide
- Nitrogen dioxide
Nonetheless, it seems this week won’t pose much of an issue with ozone levels increasing significantly," stated Kingston. "Currently, we’re enjoying exceptionally clear atmospheric conditions, all thanks to the weather system that passed through on Monday. It basically swept everything away.
Air Quality Alert
An air quality warning is announced by a statewide organization," explained Ryan Gallagher, a permit modeler for the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. "This alert goes out when pollution levels—often involving fine particles or ground-level ozone—are anticipated to hit a point where they might affect people’s health.
“What the public will see in a forecast is something called the air quality index,” added Gallagher. “... So that's our measured concentrations translated into what the EPA has as a method for health effects. Looking back at the history of Augusta going back to 2019, that seems to be the last time we had an actual ozone exceedance.”
Gallaher mentioned that the Augusta region experienced two instances exceeding limits during the summer of 2019.
Ozone exceedances occur very infrequently," he stated. "In Augusta, the primary concern for deteriorating air quality stems from our prescribed burning period, which typically lasts from early February until late April. During this time, regional efforts to reduce hazards through controlled fires release fine particles into the atmosphere. Should weather patterns be conducive, this could affect the Augusta region.
Nicholas Watanabe, an associate professor in the Department of Sport and Entertainment Management at the University of South Carolina, suggests that there may be less worry among people in Augusta than some believe.
The positive aspect for Augusta’s inhabitants is that throughout much of the year, they experience levels far below those with noticeable effects," stated Watanabe. "After reviewing some information, I found out that Augusta likely sees only about one or two days per month exceeding 100. This indicates that sensitive groups will begin feeling these impacts then. Therefore, this situation generally reflects average air quality conditions.
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Erica Van Buren serves as the climate change correspondent for The Augusta Chronicle, which is affiliated with the USA TODAY Network. You can reach her via email at EVanBuren@gannett.com or find her on X under the handle @EricaVanBuren32.
The article initially appeared in the Augusta Chronicle. An increase in vehicles during Masters week could be bothersome for drivers, yet the air quality appears to be fine.