Record-Breaking Unhealthy Air Quality In Boulder County

BOULDER COUNTY, CO — Many Coloradans have faced record-breaking poor air quality this summer. There have been 54 ozone action day alerts for Boulder County and Denver's metro area since May, state public health data shows.

That's the highest number of ozone alerts since record keeping began in 2011, according to Boulder County Public Health. The previous record high was in 2018.

“The health hazards associated with smoke are compounded by high ozone," said Bill Hayes, air quality coordinator for Boulder County Public Health.

"The Denver Metro North Front Range, an area already failing to meet federal health-based ozone standards, has now seen 39 consecutive days of ozone action alerts. With both smoke and ozone at dangerous levels, Colorado’s beloved outdoors can be an unhealthy place to be when it comes to your heart and lungs.”

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Boulder County recommends the following actions when air quality is poor:

• Remain inside with the windows and vents sealed.
• Avoid exertion outdoors when visibility is less than five miles or on afternoons and evenings when ozone is high.
• If you can't avoid being outside when smoke levels are high, consider wearing a properly fitted N95 or P100 respirator to reduce exposure. Cloth and paper masks do not offer protection from fine particles, which are small enough to go through the mask. More effort is required to breath when wearing a respirator, so strenuous exercise or heavy exertion is not recommended when wearing one.

"Although N95 respirators can help with smoke exposure, ozone is a gas that is not blocked by these respirators," Hayes said. “Pay attention to ozone levels or just avoid exerting yourself outdoors in the afternoon or early evening on action alert days.”

The high smoke and ozone levels in Colorado are caused by wildfires, which are worsened by climate change and air pollution sources that cause climate change, Boulder County Public Health said.

“The health of all of our residents is at risk because of these conditions, but we’re particularly concerned about sensitive populations,” said Collin Tomb, climate and health strategist for Boulder County.

“This includes the elderly, children, those with lung and heart conditions, and disproportionately impacted communities that may already live closer to sources of air pollution, such as busy roadways or oil and gas operations. Community members who work outdoors or don’t have access to air-conditioned indoor spaces are also most at risk.”

Ozone, which is invisible on its own, is produced when volatile organic compounds mix with combustion emissions in sunlight. Most of Boulder County's compounds come from oil and gas operations to the northeast and combustion byproducts from vehicles, public health officials said.

“Boulder County is working hard to help Colorado reach ambitious climate and air quality goals by influencing and advocating for more aggressive policy at the state level, but we still have a long ways to go,” said Cindy Copeland, Boulder County air and climate policy analyst.

“The good news is that there are steps we can take to reduce emissions and improve the situation. Plans are being considered to reduce emissions in the vehicle, oil and gas, power, and industrial sectors.”

Some pollution has eased over the past few days in our region, but still remains at unhealthy levels in some areas, public health data shows.

"Members of the public who are concerned about the effects of air pollution and climate change can make their voices heard by commenting in writing or orally to the state’s Air Quality Control Commission or the Regional Air Quality Council; specific comments on transportation emissions can be directed to the Transportation Commission or the Denver Regional Council of Governments," Boulder County Public Health said in a news release.