Blue Sky Initiative

The mission of this site is to educate the citizens of DeSoto County
on air quality issues affecting our skies and our future.

Why is Air Quality an Issue in DeSoto County, Mississippi?
Air Quality is an issue which is not confined to our county or our state but concerns our region and our nation. Not only does air pollution affect our ability to enjoy clear blue skies, air pollution can affect our economy and even our health. By learning more, getting involved and even making some simple changes to our lives, we can each do our part to keep our skies blue and future healthy.

What Is Air Pollution?
When people talk about air pollution or “smog”, they are referring to one of two pollutants: ground-level ozone or particle pollution.

Particle pollution is the term for a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. These particles come in many sizes and shapes and can be made up of hundreds of different chemicals. Some particles are emitted directly from a source, such as construction sites, unpaved roads, fields, smokestacks or fires. Others form in complicated reactions in the atmosphere of chemicals such as sulfur dioxides and nitrogen oxides that are emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles. For more information on particle pollution, see the EPA's website at www.epa.gov.

Because of recent headlines and new regulations by the EPA, this site is aimed more at providing information on the other primary source of air pollution, ground-level ozone.

Ground-level ozone is a colorless, highly reactive gas that is formed when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) come into contact with heat and sunlight.
Given the importance of heat and sunlight, ozone is principally a summertime problem. It is for this reason that May through September is referred to as “Smog Season”.
VOCs are associated with sources that emit strong fumes and vapors. Gasoline, oil-based paints and solvents are all sources of VOCs. Trees and vegetation are natural sources of VOCs.
NOx (pronounced “knocks”) is created through the combustion process associated with engines and boilers. Sources of NOx in DeSoto County include cars, trucks and non-road vehicles (including construction equipment).
Highest ground-level ozone concentrations occur between 1 and 6 p.m.

How We Are Affected?
When we breathe in ozone, it can inflame the lining of the airways and lungs. The most common symptoms associated with ozone exposure are a feeling of chest tightness, dry cough and difficulty breathing. Emergency room visits for asthma and other respiratory problems spike whenever there is a high level of ground-level ozone. Since the highest concentrations occur in the afternoon and evenings, you can avoid exposure to ozone even on Ozone Alert days by performing outdoor activities like running in the mornings.

How is Air Quality Regulated and What is the Government’s Role?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a federal agency with the mission to protect human health and the environment. Since 1970, the EPA has implemented a variety of programs under the Clean Air Act that, among other things, seek to reduce outdoor concentrations of air pollutants, including ground level ozone. Since air pollution is a problem not restricted by state or local boundaries, participation at all levels of state and local government and by all citizens is necessary to ensure we all get the benefit of clean air. For their part, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and Desoto County work closely together to monitor compliance with EPA standards, to implement local policies to reduce emissions and to encourage participation by residents in individual behaviors aimed at improving air quality.

How can I make a difference?
On an individual level, since our personal vehicles are probably the highest contributing source to ground-level ozone that we control, the most dramatic impact each of us can make involves our driving habits. Driving less, sharing rides, making better choices in maintaining or choosing vehicles: these are some of the easiest ways to lessen sources of NOx which contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone. Please visit the Useful Tips link to learn more about making small changes which can dramatically affect sources of NOx in our local air. However, the most important thing we can all do is to become more educated and informed about the problem and ever-changing solutions. We have provided the most important links on this issue where you, the citizens of Desoto County, can learn more to keep our skies blue and our children healthy.