[OKC] Ozone Watch

[Jennifer Alig]

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*From:* Goeller, Curt
*Sent:* Wednesday, August 24, 2011 10:27 AM
*Subject:* Ozone Watch****

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*The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality *is issuing an ozone watch
for the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metropolitan areas for Thursday, August 25,
2011. This watch will initiate the issuance of an “Ozone Alert Day” for the
Oklahoma City area by the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (www.
LetsClearTheAir.org <http://www.letscleartheair.org/>) and an “Ozone Alert
Day” for the Tulsa area by the Indian Nations Council of Governments (
www.ozonealert.com).****

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This ozone watch is a prediction that concentrations of ozone will approach
levels of concern over the next 24 hours. Sensitive individuals should plan
accordingly. When these levels are reached, an Air Quality Health Advisory
will be issued. Health Advisories are notifications that levels of ozone
have reached unhealthy levels.  They are based on near real time monitoring
values.****

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Persons with lung or heart disease should be aware that increased pollution
may cause them to experience adverse health effects. Ozone affects people
differently.  Unhealthy levels of ozone can cause throat irritation,
coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, increased susceptibility to
respiratory infection and aggravation of asthma and other respiratory
ailments. These symptoms are worsened by exercise and heavy activity. Learn
your limits. Children, older adults and people with underlying lung
diseases, such as asthma, are at particular risk of suffering from these
effects.  As ozone levels increase, the number of people affected and the
severity of the health effects also increase.****

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To help avoid ozone formation and reduce your exposure:****

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         ►Car pool or ride the bus to work or school.****

         ►Walk or ride a bicycle for short trips during morning hours when
ozone levels are lower.****

         ►Wait until evening to refuel your automobile or mow your lawn.****

         ►Arrive and leave work a little earlier or later than usual to
decrease rush-hour traffic.****

         ►Drive your most fuel efficient vehicle.****

         ►Make sure gas caps on vehicles, lawn mowers and other equipment
seal properly.****

         ►Trip chain, combine errands to make one trip instead of several.**
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         ►Limit idling time in your vehicle.****

         ►Limit the use of drive-through windows.****

         ►Limit the use of charcoal starter fluid and other products that
contain hydrocarbons.****

         ►Postpone normally permissible outdoor burning to a non-Ozone Watch
day.****

         ►Limit or postpone the use of two-cycle engines (i.e. lawnmowers,
weed eaters, motor boats and ****

            motor cycles).****

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An Air Quality Health Advisory will be issued if/when ozone levels reach
unhealthy for sensitive groups level. ****

To receive an Air Quality Health Advisory email sign-up at:  ****

*http://www.deq.state.ok.us/aqdnew/AdvisorySignUp.htm*<http://www.deq.state.ok.us/aqdnew/AdvisorySignUp.htm>
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