July 6, 2002--
Saturday was the sixth time this summer the
Department of Environmental Quality has asked
people not to drive. And the DEQ predicts more
voluntary no-drive days as temperatures reach into the
100's starting Sunday.
News Specialist Sandra Yi tells us what we can do to help spare the air.
We may want to think about taking the bus or TRAX
to work next week.
The Department of Environmental
Quality says it'll do our air some good.
Laura Vernon/Dept. of Environmental
Quality: "WHEN WE HAVE HOT
TEMPERATURES AND A SUNNY DAY WITH
VERY LITTLE CLOUD COVER, AND CALM
WINDS, THEN WE HAVE THE RECIPE FOR
OZONE."
We can't see ozone but it can be dangerous to our
health.
Ozone is a gas formed from vehicle emissions
when it's hot and sunny outside.
Saturday's heat
caused ozone levels to soar high enough the
Department of Environmental Quality issued a health
warning to children, the elderly and people with
breathing problems.
Laura Vernon/Dept. of Environmental
Quality: "BUT WE KNOW THAT'S NOT
ALWAYS POSSIBLE TO DO, WE HAVE VERY
ACTIVE LIFESTYLES AND WE NEED TO
DRIVE."
Vernon says one person can make a difference in our
air quality. Even if you can't ditch your car, you can still
help spare the air.
The DEQ has launched a choose clean air campaign.
Some of the things you can do: Drive less, carpool or
ride a bike, postpone errands that can wait or
combine errands into one trip.
Also, when you do
drive, replace your car air filter regularly and keep
your tires properly inflated.
At home, use a
non-charcoal barbeque, use water-based paints and
avoid consumer spray products.
Laura Vernon/Dept. of Environmental
Quality: "WE CAN'T CONTROL THE
WEATHER, BUT THERE ARE THINGS THAT
WE CAN DO WHEN WE HAVE HIGH OZONE
DAYS THAT WILL HELP REDUCE OR HELP
KEEP THOSE LEVELS AT A MINIMUM."
The DEQ says our air quality is relatively good, but
when it gets as hot as it is now it can take a turn for
the worse.
If ozone levels get high enough healthy
adults may have trouble breathing.
