(May 1, 2001) - Coming in 17th on a list that's topped by the Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County Region, the Metropolitan Statistical Area made up of San Diego and Imperial Counties ranks among the country's worst in ozone pollution, according to the "State of the Air 2001" analysis released today by the American Lung Association. Locally, the Association is warning that a rush to waive air pollution requirements on new sources of electricity will result in even worse air quality in the region.

Breathing too much ozone, the key pollutant tracked in today's report, may lead to shortness of breath, chest pain when inhaling deeply, wheezing and coughing. Long term, repeated exposure may lead to reductions in lung function, inflammation, pain, and reduced lung growth in children.

The Association's "State of the Air 2001" report tracks ozone pollution from 1997 to 1999. During this time, the nation as a whole has made strides against other air pollutants such as lead, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide, but pollution by particulate matter (PM) and ozone continue to threaten the health of millions. Nationally, the number of Americans living in areas that received an "F" increased by more than 9 million compared with last year's report - from 132 million to more than 141 million. The full report is on the internet at www.lungusa.org.

Both San Diego and Imperial Counties have made progress in reducing ozone levels, but neither has achieved the federal health standard that sets the maximum exposure to ozone. From 1997-99, the federal ozone standard was violated on 68 days in San Diego County and on 80 days in Imperial County. This track record earned the region an "F" using the American Lung Association's rating system.

Now, proposals to spur electricity production by ignoring air pollution standards are threatening to make the pollution picture worse, as well as harm the health of people with lung diseases such as asthma and emphysema. The Association has called for the state to:

• oppose increased reliance on diesel generators to meet short-term electricity needs;
• give priority for the development of electricity supplies to the cleanest sources of electricity, such as wind, geothermal and solar;
• oppose the weakening of air quality standards or the short-circuiting of environmental review processes in order to site and build new power plants; and
• encourage the supply of cleaner-burning natural gas to fuel power plants.

"We must not sacrifice the health of the public to produce electricity when there are sensible alternatives available," said Dr. Kevin Murray, a lung health specialist who volunteers with the Association. "Individuals can conserve energy, and they can also tell their leaders that the only acceptable solution to our energy problems is one that promotes cleaner air."

The American Lung Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties is the community leader in lung disease prevention, research, and education. Among its programs are the annual SCAMP Camp, Open Airways for Schools, and other efforts to assist children with asthma; partnerships with county health departments and other agencies to combat tuberculosis; Better Breathers Clubs to support adults with impaired lung function; advocacy and leadership in creating a tobacco-free and environmentally healthy community; support for lung research; and ongoing education of health care providers and the public about lung health.