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Air Quality
Action Days |
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An Air Quality Action Day occurs when ozone levels reach the point
where it is considered unhealthy to breathe outside, particularly
among sensitive groups. The N.C. Division of Air Quality issues daily
air quality forecasts for the Triangle and other metropolitan
areas of the state. The forecasters use a color code system
based on the EPA’s Air Quality
Index (AQI) to advise the public about ozone exposure.
The AQI runs from 0-300; the higher the value the greater
the health concern. Air Quality Action Days occur when ozone levels
are Code Orange, Red or Purple.The forecasts are part of the N.C. Air Awareness
Program, a voluntary effort aimed at reducing ozone in
the state's major metropolitan areas. As part of this program,
air quality officials are asking residents of the Triangle
and surrounding counties to help reduce air pollution on Air Quality Action Days.
Top
Ten Tips for Air Quality Action Days:
Take
your lunch
Or walk to a nearby restaurant. This reduces the number of
vehicles on the road during the daylight hours when ozone
formation is highest.
Leave your car
Take the bus, car pool, van pool, walk or ride your bike to
your destination.
Drive it right
When you do drive your car, use cruise control whenever practical
and stay within the speed limit. Avoid sudden stops and "jackrabbit"
starts.
Don’t be idle
Avoid idling for long periods of time. Park and walk in to
drive-through locations (like banks and restaurants) instead
of using the drive-through. Idling for over one minute wastes
fuel and contributes to higher ground-level ozone.
Chain, Chain Chain!
Plan your trips so that you combine short trips whenever possible.
"Trip chaining" will save you money and time while
reducing pollution, because a cold engine consumes about 20
percent more fuel than a warm one. On Ozone Action Days, consider
postponing non-essential errands until another day.
Do it at dusk
Postpone refueling your car until after 6 pm. This reduces
emissions during the peak daylight hours when ozone formation
is most likely. Don't "top off" the tank: don’t
add more gasoline after the pump has automatically shut itself
off. This will avoid spills of gasoline and unnecessary VOC
emissions.
Stay tuned
Keep your car, boat, and lawn equipment tuned up. Well-maintained
engines are more fuel-efficient and pollute less. Get a tune-up
a once a year. After all, it makes good economic and environmental
sense! Make sure your tires are inflated to the recommended
pressure. Under-inflated tires reduce fuel economy and increase
polluting emissions.
Conserve electricity
When at home, set your thermostat at the highest temperature
at which you are comfortable (try 78 degrees). When everyone
is away or asleep, set the thermostat at a warmer temperature.
Use a ceiling fan to circulate the cool air. Turn off appliances
when not in use.
Cut it out
Try not to cut the grass on Ozone Action Days. Use hand-powered
or electric lawn care equipment whenever possible. If you
must use gas-powered equipment, wait until after 6:00 pm.
Try something different
Choose water-based paints, stains, and sealers instead of
similar oil-based products. If you must use oil-based coatings,
ask about the availability of low-solvent versions. Use water-based
cleaners rather
Click
here to learn more about ozone.
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2005 by SmartCommute@RTP, Site created by R. Bunch Design
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An Air Quality Action Day occurs when ozone levels reach the point
where it is considered unhealthy to breathe outside, particularly
among sensitive groups. The N.C. Division of Air Quality issues daily
air quality forecasts for the Triangle and other metropolitan
areas of the state. The forecasters use a color code system
based on the EPA’s Air Quality
Index (AQI) to advise the public about ozone exposure.
The AQI runs from 0-300; the higher the value the greater
the health concern. Air Quality Action Days occur when ozone levels
are Code Orange, Red or Purple.The forecasts are part of the N.C. Air Awareness
Program, a voluntary effort aimed at reducing ozone in
the state's major metropolitan areas. As part of this program,
air quality officials are asking residents of the Triangle
and surrounding counties to help reduce air pollution on Air Quality Action Days.
Top
Ten Tips for Air Quality Action Days:
Take
your lunch
Or walk to a nearby restaurant. This reduces the number of
vehicles on the road during the daylight hours when ozone
formation is highest.
Leave your car
Take the bus, car pool, van pool, walk or ride your bike to
your destination.
Drive it right
When you do drive your car, use cruise control whenever practical
and stay within the speed limit. Avoid sudden stops and "jackrabbit"
starts.
Don’t be idle
Avoid idling for long periods of time. Park and walk in to
drive-through locations (like banks and restaurants) instead
of using the drive-through. Idling for over one minute wastes
fuel and contributes to higher ground-level ozone.
Chain, Chain Chain!
Plan your trips so that you combine short trips whenever possible.
"Trip chaining" will save you money and time while
reducing pollution, because a cold engine consumes about 20
percent more fuel than a warm one. On Ozone Action Days, consider
postponing non-essential errands until another day.
Do it at dusk
Postpone refueling your car until after 6 pm. This reduces
emissions during the peak daylight hours when ozone formation
is most likely. Don't "top off" the tank: don’t
add more gasoline after the pump has automatically shut itself
off. This will avoid spills of gasoline and unnecessary VOC
emissions.
Stay tuned
Keep your car, boat, and lawn equipment tuned up. Well-maintained
engines are more fuel-efficient and pollute less. Get a tune-up
a once a year. After all, it makes good economic and environmental
sense! Make sure your tires are inflated to the recommended
pressure. Under-inflated tires reduce fuel economy and increase
polluting emissions.
Conserve electricity
When at home, set your thermostat at the highest temperature
at which you are comfortable (try 78 degrees). When everyone
is away or asleep, set the thermostat at a warmer temperature.
Use a ceiling fan to circulate the cool air. Turn off appliances
when not in use.
Cut it out
Try not to cut the grass on Ozone Action Days. Use hand-powered
or electric lawn care equipment whenever possible. If you
must use gas-powered equipment, wait until after 6:00 pm.
Try something different
Choose water-based paints, stains, and sealers instead of
similar oil-based products. If you must use oil-based coatings,
ask about the availability of low-solvent versions. Use water-based
cleaners rather
Click
here to learn more about ozone.
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