– “Washington’s air quality improved, but risks remain | Department of Ecology”
“Washingtonians are breathing cleaner air today than they were two decades ago, according to a report given to Gov. Jay Inslee this week [May 1].

The Washington Department of Ecology revealed the good news at a Results Washington meeting, reporting that as of this year 100 percent of the state meets federal air quality standards. Nearly half the state’s population lived in areas not meeting federal air quality standards in 1995.

“There has been a lot of hard work by state and local governments to improve our air quality,” said Maia Bellon, Ecology’s director. “Air pollution is one of the biggest risks to public health we face today. We need to remain focused on improving air quality so we all have clean air to breathe.”

Although the report contained good news, Ecology cautioned that the state’s air quality is still at risk.

Fourteen Washington communities remain on the verge of violating air pollution limits for particulate matter, primarily from woodstoves,” quoting The Maple Valley Reporter (Sound Publishing, Inc.).
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Click here to see map of Olympia/Lacey/Tumwater & Yelm in “High Risk Ozone Area.”