To listen in to updates on statewide air quality, updated hourly, call 404-362-4909. For the last three days of reports, go to the EPD home page on the World Wide Web. Through several links, you can get data on ambient monitoring for the present day as well as for several other time periods. The address is www.dnr.state.ga.us./dnr/environ/

Until early August 1998, ozone readings in Atlanta exceeded the .124 parts per million standard considered safe by the EPA a dozen times: on May 13, 14, 15, 19, and 22; on June 25 and 26; on July 19 and 20; and on Aug. 4, 5, and 6.

The highest levels were .156 on June 25, .158 on July 19, and .166 on July 20.

In all of 1997, the standard was exceeded 11 times. Conditions that could produce more such readings will continue well into September.