Ozone is a well studied respiratory irritant that among other effects can cause or exacerbate asthma. Carbon monoxide is a special risk to those with pre-existing conditions such as heart disease or pregnancy. The population groups that are at risk from the six criteria pollutants are shown in Table 3-32. Different groups are associated with different pollutants. All Connecticut counties are in violation of at least one ambient air standard.
Ozone accounts for most areas being out of attainment.
Only Fairfield County is in consistent non-attainment for carbon monoxide. As all Connecticut counties violate the ozone standard, all Connecticut residents are at some risk from ozone exposure. As part of a cooperative agreement with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, part of the U.S. Public Health Service, the DPH Division of Environmental Epidemiology and Occupational Health identify populations at risk to help prevent exposures and their adverse health effects. Approximately 74,000 people have been exposed to site-related contaminants, most through drinking water. Volatile organic compounds, some of which are carcinogenic, are most often associated with these exposures.