[OKC] FW: Ozone Alert Day Issued for June 25 in Central Oklahoma

[Shauna Struby]

From: Jerry Church - ACOG [mailto:jchurch at acogok.org] 
Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 12:52 PM
To: Jerry Church - ACOG; Jerry Church - ACOG
Subject: Ozone Alert Day Issued for June 25 in Central Oklahoma

 




 

  
ACOG Clean Air Committee

ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA GOVERNMENTS

www.GetSquare.org

 

For immediate release: June 24, 2009


Contact: Jerry Church, 234-2264


E-mail: jchurch at acogok.org

 


MEDIA RELEASE


 


OZONE ALERT DAY ISSUED FOR JUNE 25 IN CENTRAL OKLAHOMA


 

Air quality concerns have prompted environmental officials to alert the
public about the prospect of increased levels of air pollution in the
Central Oklahoma region.  Local officials have issued an ACOG Ozone Alert
Day for Thursday, June 25.  This is the second Alert Day of the year. 

 

Because of immediate health concerns for people that may be susceptible to
the effects of air pollution, residents in the metro area are encouraged to
reduce air pollution by adapting their daily routines.

 

On June 25, there are a few simple things that people can do to help "clear
the air:"

.         Riding the bus on Ozone Alert Days in Oklahoma City and Norman is
FREE.  Call 235-RIDE, or 325-CART for route information.  METRO Transit and
Cleveland Area Rapid Transit (CART) provides these services.

.         Gas up the vehicle in the evening.  Ozone needs sunlight in order
to form.

.         Avoid lawn mowing.  Older, two-cycle gasoline-powered lawn mowers
running for one hour emit as many pollutants as a car driven from Oklahoma
City to Houston!

.         If you have to gas up, avoid "topping off" the tank.

.         Avoid unnecessary vehicle trips, or try to combine as many trips
into one outing.

.         Carpooling takes one car off of the road for every rider. 

.         Drive the speed limit on highways.  Motor vehicles emit fewer
pollutants when driven at a consistent speed at or below 65 mph.

 

In Oklahoma, ground-level ozone, the primary component of smog, is a health
and environmental concern from May to September.  Ozone is formed by
nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds mixing in the presence of
intense sunlight.  Automobiles and gasoline-powered engines are a primary
source for these pollutants.  Industrial machinery, lawn and garden
equipment, recreational boats, drying paint and charcoal grills are some of
the other sources.  Little or no wind further adds to situations when high
amounts of ozone can be created.

 

While air pollution is unhealthy for everyone, some people are at increased
risk because of their age or health situation. Those groups include people
with asthma, adults over 65, children under 18, and persons with chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis and emphysema,
cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.

 

Throughout the year, the Central Oklahoma Clean Air Committee monitors the
levels of ozone and carbon monoxide in the region's air, and calls attention
to days when weather conditions may be conducive for high levels of air
pollution. The Committee notifies local media and meteorologists of Ozone
Alert day forecasts.  Informing the public a day in advance gives people the
opportunity to plan their activities in hopes of reducing air pollution
levels.

 

Since 1992, with the establishment of the Alert Day Program, the Committee
has encouraged citizens, local governments and corporations to take
proactive measures to keep the region's air clean.

 

The Central Oklahoma region still remains in attainment of air quality
standards established by the Environmental Protection Agency.  However,
since the region's ozone levels change "like the wind," the situation must
be monitored daily.

 

For more clean air tips, visit to www.GetSquare.org.

 

 

 


Jerry A. Church


cid:image001.jpg at 01C8E746.B2403B20

Director of Media and Public Relations

Association of Central Oklahoma Governments

21 E. Main St., Suite 100, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
Telephone: (405) 234-2264  Website:  <http://www.acogok.org>
http://www.acogok.org

 

 

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