Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ozone Action Day Program?

The Ozone Action Day Program is a ten-year-old program that was sponsored by the Northeast Ohio Ozone Action Task Force, which was originally comprised of representatives from local governments, health agencies, environmental organizations and the private sector. Today, the program is run by NOACA, with input from the Akron Regional Air Quality Management District; Cleveland Division of Environment; Lake County General Health District; USEPA and Ohio EPA. The program combines air quality analysis with a coordinated publicity campaign to make individuals aware of and limit ozone formation. The program area includes the counties of Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage and Summit Counties by informing the general population of the health risks and environmental impacts ground-level ozone has on our community.

How is an Ozone Action Day Determined?
Ozone Action Days are declared during the summer, generally between May and September, when harmful ground-level ozone concentrations are likely to occur. Ozone Action Day Logo Hot weather, along with high levels of emissions can trigger an Ozone Action Day declaration.

A team of local air quality experts are consulted to determine when Ozone Action Day conditions are most likely to form high levels of ground-level ozone. The teams' assessment is based on air quality monitors throughout the eight participating counties in Northeast Ohio. This decision is based upon an assessment of local weather conditions and expected ozone concentrations for the following day. Specific monitor information can be found at the Northeast Ohio Air Quality Online site. This site gives current and specific information for each of the 16 areawide air quality monitors.

Once possible conditions for an Ozone Action Day are determined, a fax or email notification is sent out to participating businesses, local governments, and the media to remind them of the precautions and actions that they can take to limit pollution; and the health and environmental risks of the high levels of ozone that particular day.

What is Ground-Level Ozone?
There are two different types of ozone, which are often mistaken for one another. These include: Stratospheric (the upper layer), and Tropospheric (the lower layer). Stratospheric ozone is the layer that protects the earth from the sun's harmful rays. This is most commonly referred to, and what we are trying to protect. Working Together for Cleaner Air! Tropospheric ozone is also known as ground-level ozone. This type of ozone is a major pollutant that is mainly present during hot summer months when there are little or no winds. Ground-level ozone is created when the sunlight reacts with emission from vehicles, factories and solvents and poses a possible health risk in particular to the elderly, young children, and those with respiratory diseases.

Who Sets the Standards for Air Quality?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has created and provided a guide to measure the levels of ozone concentrations in the air. The guide is called the Air Quality Index (AQI) and these ratings determine the quality of the air.

U.S. EPA Air Quality Guide for Ozone
Air Quality Index	Color	Air Quality	Prediction
0 to 50	Green	Good	No health impacts are expected.
51 to 100	Yellow	Moderate	Unusually sensitive people should limit prolonged outdoor activity.
101 to 150	Orange	Unhealthy for sensitive groups	Active people and those with respiratory disease should limit prolonged outdoor activity.
151 to 200	Red	Unhealthy	Active people and those with respiratory disease should avoid prolonged outdoor activity; all others should limit prolonged outdoor activity.
201 to 300	Purple	Very unhealthy	Active people and those with respiratory disease should avoid all outdoor activity; all others should limit outdoor activity.

Do Ozone Action Days pose any significant health risk on the general population?
Ozone Action Days represent days when levels of ozone in the air are expected to be high, and yes, there can be health risks. The AQI factor (Air Quality Index) has been set by the US EPA as a set of standards in determining the specific levels of pollutants present in the air. Northeast Ohio has 16 areawide monitors that observe the different levels of pollutants in our air. These monitors rate the levels of ozone, and when those levels are high, yes they can affect the general population. By logging on to http://neoair.noaca.ohio.edu, specific monitor information can be retrieved along with color-coded maps to show what areas are affected and how they will affect the population. In general, sensitive populations such as the elderly, children and those who suffer from respiratory disease should always be cautious and aware of the health impacts on an Ozone Action Day. As the Ozone reading get higher, anyone can be affected. It is important to be aware of the risks and know how to limit the amount and intensity of outdoor activities on Ozone Actions Days.

How do I become part of the Ozone Action Day Program Notification System?
For more information or to become part of the notification system contact Pamela Davis, Senior Environmental Planner by email at: pdavis@mpo.noaca.org or phone at 216-241-2414, Ext. 284, or by applying online. Notification is also available by fax to interested business, local governments, agencies, schools, or any other organization who would like to become part of the notification system.