NATIONAL CLEAN AIR MONTH HIGHLIGHTS FLORIDA'S TOP AIR QUALITY

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 1, 2014

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

NATIONAL CLEAN AIR MONTH HIGHLIGHTS FLORIDA'S TOP AIR QUALITY

~Florida meets federal air quality standards for ozone and fine particulate matter~

TALLAHASSEE  The Florida Department of Environmental Protection recognizes May as Clean Air Month with a proclamation by Governor Rick Scott and reminds residents and visitors that Florida's air is among the nation's cleanest.

"Floridians breathe some of the cleanest air in the nation, thanks to the efforts of the department to protect our air quality and the investment of significant financial resources to upgrade and increase air monitoring statewide," said DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. "Florida air emissions are the lowest on record, thanks to the department's work during Governor Rick Scott's administration to curb air pollution statewide."

Emissions of key industrial pollutants contributing to the formation of ozone and fine particulate matter continue to decline in Florida, a trend that has existed for years. Over the past decade, power plant emissions of two of these pollutants, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, decreased 83 percent. 

The department's Spatial Air Quality System allows web users to access updated air quality data as reported by its statewide network of air quality monitors. Additional information about Florida's air quality is available through the department's Division of Air Resource Management website.

"We all play a role in ensuring Florida's air quality remains among the best in the country and is enjoyable for both residents and visitors," said Brian Accardo, director of the Division of Air Resource Management. "Smart personal decisions, hard work by local and state air program professionals, and increased compliance by businesses, all contribute to the protection of this valuable resource."

In March, the department expanded Florida’ air monitoring network by purchasing 14 new air monitors and upgrading old technology of 39 more, to improve its coverage. The bolstered network provides department scientists valuable data to ensure  Florida's air quality remains among the best in the nation. 

The network of 214 air monitors placed strategically throughout the state are designed to measure different types of air pollutants in order to make regulatory decisions and ensure compliance with federal air quality standards. Florida's air monitoring network currently covers roughly 92 percent of the state's population and is top among Southeastern states. Nationwide, Florida ranks second only to California in coverage among the most populated states, based on 2012 data.

According to the 2014 State of the Air report from the American Lung Association, Florida again experienced zero unhealthy days for ozone pollution during the three-year study period. In addition, Florida has 10 cities listed among the three clean air categories, which is more than any other state. The Fort Myers-Cape Coral area was one of only four cities in the nation to rank in all three categories.