Public Urged To Take Precautions
The Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG) in partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) has issued an OZONE ALERT DAY for the Oklahoma City metropolitan region for Friday, September 25. According to ODEQ, air quality monitors in Oklahoma County now detect concentrations of ozone considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. Children and persons with asthma should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion. 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. 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.
Staff Contact
POSITION OPEN
Program Coordinator
(405) 234-2264
Tips for Ozone Alert Day
To help avoid ozone formation and reduce your exposure ACOG and ODEQ offer the following tips:
Carpool
Car pool or ride the bus to work or school.
Rush Hour
Arrive and leave work a little earlier or later than usual to decrease rush-hour traffic.
System Prseservation
Maintain and improve the quality of the transportation system.
Drive-Thrus
Limit the use of drive-through windows.
Two-Cycle Engines
Limit or postpone the use of two-cycle engines (i.e. lawnmowers, weed eaters, motor boats and motorcycles).
Trips
Walk or ride a bicycle for short trips during morning hours when ozone levels are lower.
Vehicle
Drive your most fuel efficient vehicle.
Trips
Trip chain, combine errands to make one trip instead of several.
Starter Fluid
Limit the use of charcoal starter fluid and other products that contain hydrocarbons.
Mowing
Wait until evening to refuel your automobile or mow your lawn.
Seal
Make sure gas caps on vehicles, lawn mowers and other equipment seal properly.
Burning
Postpone normally permissible outdoor burning to a non-Ozone Watch day.
Idling
Limit idling time in your vehicle.
Staff Contact
For more information about ACOG’s air quality program including air quality awareness grants for schools and communities, please contact Eric W. Pollard, (405) 234-2264.