Region 1. The states in Region 1 apparently suffered from the especially hot summer of 2002, which gave many of these states more unhealthful ozone days than in the years covered by the 2003 report. Three of the six states -- Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island -- scored Fs for ozone levels within every county that was monitored. Over 80 percent of the population residing in those states was exposed to very high levels of ozone. Fairfield County, CT, ranked as the 21st most ozone-polluted county in the country, its first time on the "25 worst counties" list. In Maine, slightly better, four out of seven reporting counties received an F grade.

Conversely, particle pollution levels were low in five out of the six states. Connecticut was the exception with approximately 50 percent of its population living in counties with unacceptable levels of particles (Fairfield and New Haven counties earned those F grades for the short-term particle pollution measurement). Approximately 25 percent of Connecticut's population was living in areas that failed the pass/fail rating for year-round levels of particles.

Region 2 New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico

Region 2 . Thirteen counties in New Jersey were monitored for ozone last year and each one received an F. Those counties amounted to 71 percent of the state's total population. Three counties (Camden, Ocean and Gloucester) are among the nation's 25 most ozone-polluted counties. While the monitoring of particle pollution was not as thorough, the results were slightly better. Four out of six New Jersey counties passed the pass/fail rating for year-round levels of particle pollution. Union County earned an F for its short-term levels of particles.

Seventeen out of 25 counties in New York received an F rating for ozone levels. That translates to 80 percent of the people living in those 25 counties breathing unacceptable amounts of ozone. One notable change was the loss of the last ozone monitor in New York County (covering most of Manhattan) with the loss of the World Trade Center (the monitor was located on the Center). No new ozone monitor has been placed in that county.

Most counties in New York State had healthy levels of year-round particle pollution levels and received passing grades for short-term levels. The counties of New York and the Bronx, however, failed both. New York County ranked 22 in the list of counties most polluted by year-round levels of particle pollution. Queens also received an F for short-term levels of particle pollution but the year-round-level data was incomplete.

The metropolitan area of New York-Newark-Bridgeport, NY-NJ-CT-PA, continues to rank among the 25 most ozone-polluted cities in the nation, tying for 12th worst. The same metroplex ranks 18th worst among cities most polluted by year-round particle pollution, a new list this year. Parts of this large metropolitan area are also included in Regions 1 and 3.

Puerto Rico's levels of ozone and particle pollution are not included in this report. Historically, Puerto Rico's air quality is very good.

Regional Analyses continued...