Summer Ozone Season has Begun: Front Range residents asked to join the Clean Air Community

Online, June 8, 2010 (Newswire.com) - DENVER (June 7, 2010) - Summer ozone season is in full swing after the first two Ozone Action Alerts of the season were called by state experts who expect ozone pollution to climb to unhealthy levels along the Front Range today and tomorrow.

The Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) and its partners are kicking off the sixth year of the Ozone Aware campaign to raise awareness of ozone pollution by asking Front Range residents to join the Clean Air Community. The RAQC asks citizens to reduce ozone by driving less, refueling their car after 5 p.m., and mowing after 5 p.m. on hot summer days.

The Denver region fell out of compliance with the federal standard for ozone pollution in 2007 and air quality experts forecast the region to remain out of compliance with stricter standards set by the EPA in 2008. Federal officials are expected to announce an even stricter standard in August 2010 making it even more important this summer for local residents, businesses and industry to do their part to help reduce ground-level ozone help reduce the health risks associated with ozone pollution.

At ground level, ozone pollution can be harmful to everyone, especially the young and the elderly. The highest ozone levels are usually recorded in summer months when temperatures approach the high 80s and 90s and when the wind is stagnant or light.

"Awareness is critical during the summer ozone season," said Ken Lloyd, executive director of the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC). "This year we're asking everyone to join our Clean Air Community by pledging to commit to actions to reduce ozone pollution."

Ground-level ozone pollution is formed when emissions from everyday items combine with other pollutants and "cook" in the heat and sunlight. Sources of such emissions include local industry, gasoline-powered vehicles and lawn equipment, and household paints, stains and solvents.

Ozone can trigger attacks and symptoms in people with pre-existing health conditions, such as asthma or other respiratory diseases. High levels of ozone pollution often affect healthy people who work or exercise outdoors and can cause breathing difficulties, eye irritation and reduced resistance to lung infections and colds with exposure for prolonged periods.

The RAQC works with meteorologists from the Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE) to issue Ozone Action Alerts on days when ground-level ozone is forecasted to reach unhealthy levels.

Ozone-causing emissions come from a wide range of sources. Front Range residents can take the following actions to reduce ground-level ozone:
• Drive less - walk when you can, group errands, take public transit and carpool whenever possible.
• Mow in the evening after 5 p.m.
• Refuel in the evening after 5 p.m.
• "Stop at the click" - do not overfill gas tanks when refueling.
• Keep vehicles regularly maintained.
• Tighten gas caps after refueling.
• Use new, earth-friendly lawn equipment.
• Avoid solvent-based products; use water-based paint, stain and sealants.
• Sign up for Ozone Action Alerts.
The "Let's Take Care of Our Summer Air" program uses social media to engage residents, share tips and information about the program, answer questions about ground-level ozone and interact with in a brand new way. People can interact with the campaign via:
• Website - OzoneAware.org (and the mobile site m.ozoneaware.org)
• Facebook - Become a fan of Regional Air Quality Council - Ozone Aware
• Twitter - @OzoneAware

For additional information on ground-level ozone, please visit www.OzoneAware.org or the RAQC's Web site at www.raqc.org or call 303-629-5450.

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