Save Historic Jackson Hole is funding a private effort to monitor ozone levels in Teton County.

The nonprofit group and development watchdog will purchase up to $2,000 in equipment for residents to monitor ozone levels at various points in Teton County.

Director Armond Acri said the project arose from Wilson resident Jeff Springett, who was concerned about ozone levels in Teton County, which has winter inversions similar to Sublette County, where, during the winter of 2007-08, the pollutant exceeded the federal ozone standard of 75 parts per billion on 14 days.

“The inversions are believed to trap the pollutant in the gas fields in Sublette County,” Acri said.

In Teton County, the theory is that vehicle emissions are also trapped during inversions.

The state of Wyoming does not require ozone monitoring, Acri said.

Acri said that one person, working with his own equipment, got a high reading in Wilson in recent years. The reading was high enough that there was some interest in further monitoring, he said.

“In Los Angeles and other areas with smog, the big problem is normally in summer,” Acri said. “But for whatever reason, in our high-altitude desert environment, it seems to be in our winter inversion.”

Ozone monitoring is something that Jackson and Teton County planning commissioners have discussed during their review of the Jackson/Teton County Comprehensive Plan.

Acri said Save Historic Jackson believes that data should be collected now, not after the plan is approved. That information can provide the basis for future monitoring and should be useful in the goal of protecting the environment in Teton County, Acri said.

Testing is done by exposing badges to the atmosphere for one hour. The badge reacts with ozone and changes color as a function of the ozone level. An optical reader is used to determine the ozone level at that location in parts per billion.

Initial tests are being conducted to determine what areas in Teton County have the highest levels of ozone. Those areas will be monitored this winter. 

Save Historic Jackson Hole has purchased an optical monitor and a supply of test badges. Residents are testing various locations in the valley. Findings will be reported at the end of the winter. 

Ozone is the main component of smog, a pollutant in the air. It is believed to form when exhaust gases from internal combustion engines react with sunlight and oxygen in the air. It is known to cause respiratory distress in the elderly and those with breathing problems.

The problem in Sublette County seems to occur primarily in the winter. Current federal government regulations require actions when the level exceeds 75 parts per billion.

Currently portions of Sublette, Lincoln and Sweetwater counties in the Upper Green River Basin are known to occasionally exceed the allowable limits.