This indicator is a measurement of the number ozone exceedance days from Santa Barbara County APCD monitoring stations.The data records range from 1980 until present.

Smog (ozone) destroys and damages rubber, plastic, concrete, human lung tissue, plants, forests, and crops. Motor vehicles, solvents, consumer products, the petroleum industry and fuel-burning engines produce these air born pollutants. Due to the health effects, it is important to monitor these emissions. Through recorded data, we can make changes to fix problems areas and lower exceedance days. The result will be a healthier society and environment.

Santa Barbara County air does not meet federal or state health-based standards for ground-level ozone (smog), and does not meet state standards for particulate matter. However, our air has improved significantly over the past ten years. And this is indicates a movement towards sustainability.