Summer Ozone Season Begins June First
Denver (June 1, 2009) – Summer ozone season officially begins June 1 in Front Range region.
The Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) and its partners are kicking off the fifth year of their Ozone Aware campaign to raise awareness of ozone pollution by asking Denver area residents to “chill” on hot summer days. The RAQC asks citizens to avoid ozone-causing behaviors in the heat of the day such as mowing the lawn, driving, or painting or staining projects.
The Denver region violated the federal ozone standard in 2007 and a new, stricter standard in 2008, making it even more important this summer for local residents, businesses and industry to do their part to help reduce ground-level ozone, meet federal air quality standards in 2009 and help reduce the health risks associated with ozone pollution.
At ground level, ozone pollution can be harmful to everyone, especially the young and the elderly. The highest ozone levels are usually recorded in summer months when temperatures approach the high 80s and 90s and when the wind is stagnant or light.
“The more stringent standards this year make it that much more important that we all do our part,” said Ken Lloyd, executive director of the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC). “Awareness is critical during the summer ozone season, and so the RAQC has expanded the resources available this year to provide additional avenues for people to learn how to reduce their impact.”
An Ozone Action Alert day is announced by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) when weather conditions are forecast for unhealthy ground-level ozone concentrations.
Ground-level ozone pollution is formed when emissions from everyday items combine with other pollutants and “cook” in the heat and sunlight. Sources of such emissions include local industry, gasoline-powered vehicles and lawn equipment, and household paints, stains and solvents.
Ozone can trigger attacks and symptoms in people with pre-existing health conditions, such as asthma or other respiratory diseases. High levels of ozone pollution often affect healthy people who work or exercise outdoors and can cause breathing difficulties, eye irritation and reduced resistance to lung infections and colds with exposure for prolonged periods.
This year, the Ozone Aware program will utilize social media to engage residents, share tips and information about the program, answer questions about ground-level ozone and interact with the community in a brand new way. People can interact with the campaign via:
- Web site – OzoneAware.org
- Facebook – Become a fan of Regional Air Quality Council – Ozone Aware
- Twitter – @ozoneaware
For the fifth straight year, the RAQC and its partners are kicking off the “Ozone Aware” campaign to help increase awareness of ground-level ozone and asking residents to “chill” on hot summer days – that is, to avoid activities that can cause ground-level ozone pollution such as driving, mowing the lawn and painting or staining projects.
Ozone-causing emissions come from a wide range of sources. Actions Front Range residents can take to reduce ground-level ozone include:
- Drive less – walk when you can, group errands, take public transit and carpool whenever possible.
- Mow in the evening after 5 p.m.
- Refuel in the evening after 5 p.m.
- “Stop at the click” – do not overfill gas tanks when refueling.
- Keep vehicles regularly maintained.
- Tighten gas caps after refueling.
- Use new, earth-friendly lawn equipment.
- Avoid solvent-based products; use water-based paint, stain and sealants.
- Sign up for Ozone Action Alerts.
For additional information on ground-level ozone, please visit http://www.OzoneAware.org or the RAQC’s Web site at http://www.raqc.org or call 303-629-5450.
