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Ozone keeping visitors away
A new study suggests that visitors stay away from U.S. national parks or because of pollution levels. Researchers at Iowa State and Cornell universities looked at more than two decades of data on ozone pollution at 33 parks including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Visitor numbers dropped nearly 2 percent when ozone levels went up even slightly and by at least 8 percent in months with three or more days of high ozone levels. Air quality warnings issued by parks and other government agencies may be causing the visitation drop. . Even though the national parks are supposed to be icons of a pristine landscape, quite a lot of people are being exposed to ozone levels that could be detrimental to their health, the report says. In parks, ozone is carried in on the wind and also caused by traffic and other activities. The National Park Service is reviewing the study but hasn't evaluated whether ozone and visitation are linked, says spokesman Jeffrey Olson. He said nine parks issue ozone alerts when warranted including the Great Smoky Mountains. The study provides evidence that air pollution is changing people's behavior when they are planning a park visit. Park visitors who live nearby are more likely to change their plans than out-of-town visitors who have reserved airplane tickets, lodging and rental cars.
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Return to Today's News Stories - Front PageThursday, April 29, 2021
US 411 Project News
Mill Creek Wildfire Update
More Bad News For Smokies' Fans
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Mill Creek Wildfire doubles in size
Goodbye Smokies?
Keep Cocke County Beautiful
Cocke Co. High School Remote Learning today!
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