Compared to 2007, people from New England states except Vermont had fewer poor air quality days and as a result, they breathed easier this summer.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says summer 2008 had 28-days as compared to 53-days when ozone monitors recorded concentrations above health standards.

Five of the region’s six states had fewer poor air quality days between April and September compared to the same period last year.

Massachusetts had 18-unhealthy ozone days, as compared to 38 in 2007.  Rhode Island saw 6-poor air-quality days, as opposed to 18 in 2007.  Overall New England saw the number of poor air-quality days drop from 53 to 28.  Connecticut had the most, with 22 days, compared to 42 in 2007, though Vermont saw a rise of three bad air days, compared to none last summer.

EPA attributes this to cooler weather with fewer days when temperatures exceeded 90-degrees, more rain and a decided long-term decline in air pollution emissions.
Compared to a generation ago, air quality conditions have improved as advances are being made to reduce air pollution.  Air quality alerts are issued when there is an unhealthy amount of ozone near ground level.