The Bush Administration has shown that preserving the environment is not a priority. From the water we drink to the air we breath, the Bush Administration has put corporate interests ahead of the needs women and children. These steps become more menacing when viewed in the context of Arkansas s current environmental problems. Arkansans Exposed to Harmful Ozone Levels. Last summer, the state Departments of Environmental Quality and Health declared an unusually high number of Ozone Action Days in several counties.
Ozone is the primary ingredient in urban smog .
Though it occurs naturally in the stratosphere, at ground level it can be hazardous. When air containing relatively high percentages of ozone is inhaled, it can cause acute respiratory problems, aggravate asthma, temporarily decrease lung capacity, inflame lung tissue and impair the immune system. While it is safe to go outside when ozone levels are high, young children, the elderly and people with respiratory problems should avoid strenuous outdoor activity, health officials warned . The Arkansas Sierra Club was active two successful lawsuits, both of which resulted in negotiated settlements. One goal of that program will be the creation of a multi-use trail system in the city.