The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality has projected tomorrow will have conditions favorable to the formation of ground-level ozone air pollution. Thus, an Ozone Alert Day has been declared for:

Thursday, July 28, 2016

The primary component of smog, ground-level ozone is a health risk to the general populace of Central Oklahoma but especially dangerous to children, the elderly and anyone with respiratory or cardiovascular illnesses including asthma, diabetes and emphysema. Ground-level ozone forms when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) chemically react with sunlight on hot, windless days. NOx and VOC emissions come from a variety of sources including our cars and trucks, construction equipment, gas-powered lawn equipment and even charcoal grills.

What You Can Do

Automobile Emissions

• Use public transit like OKC’s EMBARK, Norman’s CART, or Edmond’s Citylink
• Use ODOT’s Pathfinder or Google Maps traffic features to avoid idling in traffic during your commute
• Carpool with friends or co-workers
• Eliminate Idling (avoid drive thrus)
• Consolidate or delay errands, bring your lunch
• Wait until nightfall to refuel your vehicle Stop at the Click – don’t overfill your gas tank when refueling

Outdoor Activity

• Delay lawn work with any gasoline-powered device
• Delay outdoor burning

Conserve Energy

• Turn home air conditioning thermostat up (preferably to 78 degrees or higher)
• Turn off or unplug electrical devices when not in use
• Check with your electricity provider for energy efficiency rebates or other incentives

Use This Hashtag

Use the hashtag #okieOZONEaction to show how you’re taking ozone action!

PHOTO SOURCE: Nadezhda1906