Issues, Goals, Policies, Implementation contd. Air Quality Cape Cod generally enjoys good air quality. However, at several points during the last ten years, the Cape has experienced problems with ozone levels that exceed health-based standards during the summer months.
Ozone occurs most frequently in the summer.
Massachusetts is classified as being in serious non-attainment for ozone and is required under the Clean Air Act to achieve the national ambient air quality standards for ozone by 1999. In addition, any emissions resulting from growth must be reduced. DEP has developed a State Implementation Plan to attain the national standards. While Cape Cod has very few stationary point sources of emissions, both stationary area sources and mobile sources are significant. Although new automobiles are getting cleaner, with increasing growth and development, the Cape can expect to experience worsening air quality.