Central Oklahoma Cities Help Reduce Air Pollution

Hotter summer months mean an increased risk of elevated ozone pollution levels in Central Oklahoma.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) released from internal combustion engines, industrial pollution, and other sources chemically react in sunlight on hot days, forming ground-level ozone, a major component of smog.

Ozone pollution exposure is a health risk to the entire population but particularly sensitive are children, the elderly, and anyone with respiratory (i.e. asthma, COPD) or cardiovascular illnesses.

Additionally, Central Oklahoma occasionally records higher levels of particulate matter in the air which can also pose a public health risk.

Every year many of Central Oklahoma’s local governments, businesses, nonprofits, universities and others provide the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG) and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) an update on their emissions reductions efforts.

These voluntary organizational actions combined with individual citizen actions on Ozone Alert Days comprise a regional strategy for cleaner air. The report is submitted voluntarily to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Highlights from this year’s report include expanded air quality improvement efforts from the City of Oklahoma City, Tinker Air Force Base, and the University of Oklahoma.

The City of Edmond update, for example, includes an overview of energy efficiency improvements to City buildings, anti-idling efforts in the City’s fleet, and bicycle-pedestrian infrastructure improvements that increase transportation alternatives to single-vehicle occupancy driving.

The public is invited to hear more about these projects and the 2018 ozone season at ACOG’s last Air Quality Advisory Committee Meeting on October 3, 10 a.m.-12 p.m ., ACOG Board Room, 4205 North Lincoln Boulevard in Oklahoma City.

Ozone Advance Emission Reduction Projects Report for Central Oklahoma

This report was coordinated and compiled by Eric Pollard, Central Oklahoma Clean Cities Manager, ACOG.

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