Air Quality Alert Day

     

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

Children, People With Asthma At Risk

Tips for Ozone Alert Day

To help avoid ozone formation and reduce your exposure ACOG and ODEQ offer the following tips:

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Carpool

Car pool or ride the bus to work or school.

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Rush Hour

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

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System Prseservation

Maintain and improve the quality of the transportation system.

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Drive-Thrus

Limit the use of drive-through windows.

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Two-Cycle Engines

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

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Trips

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

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Vehicle

Drive your most fuel efficient vehicle.

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Trips

Trip chain, combine errands to make one trip instead of several.

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Starter Fluid

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

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Mowing

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

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Seal

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

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Burning

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

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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.

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