Ozone Action Day Declared: Thursday, June 30, 2005

Thursday, June 30, 2005, has been declared an Ozone Action Day. Continued high temperatures, mixed with auto emissions, are creating unhealthy amounts of ground-level ozone. Ground-level ozone acts as a lung irritant, which can worsen pre-existing respiratory conditions or cause shortness of breath during outdoor activities.

This declaration is for Thursday ONLY. The hot and humid weather conditions are expected to break by Friday and should bring some beautiful weather for the holiday!

This week and next are Ozone Action Awareness Weeks. Please rideshare, take the bus, take the train, bike, walk, or take any other means of alternate transportation to help our region reduce ozone formation.

Take the bus in Northeast Ohio! Here are the websites:

LakeTran in Lake County
Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA)
Metro RTA in Akron
Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority
Kent State University
Medina County Transit
Lorain County Transit
Geauga County Transit
Greyhound - bus

And let that grass grow! Gasoline-powered lawnmowers, weed-whackers, edgers, and other equipment emit high levels of pollution. Mowing after 7 p.m. prevents ozone from forming in the hot sunshine.

NOACA’s website provides the public with access to real-time data on current ozone levels. You can “Check Today’s Air Quality” by visiting www.noaca.org/oad.html.

You can also Sign-Up Online to receive free email or fax notifications of declared ozone action days.

What’s New This Season?

The last week of June and the first week of July are Ozone Action Weeks. Plan to Take the Bus or Ride the Train or Carpool during these two weeks. People are also encouraged to “Check Today’s Air Quality” by logging onto NOACA's website every day to track current ozone levels.

Why Should You Care?

Northeast Ohio has been designated in nonattainment of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) health standards for ozone. The NAAQS are health-based standards created by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, designed to protect the public.

On April 15, 2004, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) designated the counties of Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, and Summit as in nonattainment for the new 8-hour ozone standard. Northeast Ohio has until 2010 to achieve clean air. More information on this designation and plans to reach attainment can be found here.

What Can You Do?

Businesses, individuals, and local governments are urged to take voluntary actions to reduce hydrocarbon emissions, which contribute to excessive ground-level ozone creation on these days. In hot weather, hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide emissions react with each other in the presence of the sunlight to form ground-level ozone. By taking the following actions, people and businesses can help to reduce ozone pollution and its health impacts.

• Decrease Single Occupancy Vehicle (SOV) Trips. Walk rather than drive to local stores. Bicycle to further destinations. Take a bus, carpool, or vanpool to work and recreational activities. Reducing vehicles and congestion will minimize the contribution of the automobile to the ozone problem.


• Combine Trips. Combining errands into a single trip (trip chaining) will reduce the number of miles you travel in your car, and also reduce air pollution.


• Take the Bus / Ride the Train. This summer’s focus is to encourage people to take alternate transportation as a means to reduce automobile emissions. Taking the bus or riding the train will also save you GAS money.


• Don't Refuel Vehicles or Equipment. If you absolutely have to, do it after 7:00 P.M., avoid spilling or dripping gasoline, and don't top off the tank. Always make sure that gas caps are tightly sealed.
• Avoid Lawn Care Activities Involving Gasoline-Powered Equipment. Lawn equipment engines are generally inefficient and can be a considerable source of pollution.


• Limit Solvent Use. This includes charcoal lighter fluid, dry cleaning fluids, and oil based paints. Generally speaking, if a match would ignite it, a liquid will contribute to ozone formation as it evaporates.


• Reduce Power Demand. The demand for electricity is generally at a peak on Ozone Action Days. Cutting back on air conditioning, turning fans and lights off when not home or in the room, and minimizing trips to the refrigerator will decrease demand on and emissions from electric power generation plants.