Morris County:

With respect to annual ozone air quality, Morris County is given a grade of “F” by the American Lung Association.  This grade is based on the number of times that the ozone levels exceeded standards (the acceptable levels set by the National Environmental Protection Agency).  Ozone is the primary ingredient in smog, and is harmful to breathe.  Additionally, the amount of Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic Chemicals (toxic chemicals take a long time to break down in the environment and build up in your body) released into Morris County’s environment in 2013 was high, nearly doubling since 2010. On the positive side, the amount of recognized carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) being released into the air in Morris County has significantly decreased (from 14,343 lbs. in 2010 to 1,268 lbs. in 2013).  In terms of its public water systems, Morris County performs in the lower half of U.S. Counties (with 6.1% of people in the county relying on water from a source with at least one violation).  Morris County residents fared well when compared to other US Counties in terms of environmentally-related health conditions such as asthma, COPD, and elevated lead in children’s blood levels.

Union County:

With respect to annual particle pollution, Union County is given a mediocre grade of “C” by the American Lung Association.  Particle pollutants in the air are harmful when inhaled, and contribute to things such as asthma, cardiovascular disease, and premature death.  Additionally, the amount of Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic Chemicals (toxic chemicals take a long time to break down in the environment and build up in your body) released into Union County’s environment in 2013 was high (16,924 lbs); this represents a 44% increase from 2012.  In terms of its public water systems, Union County performs in the lower half of U.S. Counties (with 1.7% of people in the county relying on water from a source with at least one violation).  These environmental health conditions may have a negative impact on the health of Union County residents; Union County has a higher-than-average percentage of Medicare enrollees with asthma, and a higher-than-average percentage of children with elevated blood lead levels (although this percentage has been decreasing over time).

Sussex County:

There is no information available on annual particle pollution, ozone air quality, or Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic Chemicals (toxic chemicals take a long time to break down in the environment and build up in your body) for Sussex County because there is no monitor collecting data in the county. In terms of its public water systems, Sussex County performs in the bottom 25% of U.S. Counties (with 19% of people in the county relying on water from a source with at least one violation). Sussex County has a higher-than-average percentage of Medicare enrollees with asthma, but is doing well in terms of the number of children with elevated blood lead levels.

NJ Overall:

Based on a 2013 report from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the entire state of New Jersey is in non-attainment (does not meet the 8 hour ambient air quality standard) for ozone.  Ozone is the primary ingredient in smog, and is harmful to breathe.

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