85 parts per billion. The Pinellas level has been 82 parts per billion. It would take just a nudge to send us over the limit. Besides, it is just plain unhealthy. Little kids, the elderly and asthmatics suffer first, warning the rest of us.
Ozone is a factor in many hospital admissions.
Florida's emissions inspection program has made a difference. In our two counties, inspections have reduced emissions of carbon monoxide by 18 percent and hydrocarbons by 13 percent. That is a decent piece of work, since cars account for about half of those pollutants going into the air. Because the Legislature already has voted to kill them, effective July 1. Tampa Bay's air quality had not, but that did not stop the politicians from pandering to us lazy voters.