Air Pollution Action Day Continued

Chicago area residents asked to follow Green Actions list.

The Partners for Clean Air and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency are continuing the Air Pollution Action Day notice for Wednesday, August 3, to alert individuals in the Chicago and northwest Indiana area that low winds and a high temperatures have the potential to produce elevated levels of air pollution, with an emphasis on particulate matter, which could reach unhealthy air quality levels for sensitive populations.

The coalition has called Wednesday, August 3, as an Air Pollution Action Day. Partners for Clean Air members and residents of the Chicago metropolitan area are asked to follow “Green Actions” (list follows) to reduce contributions to ozone and particulate matter pollution.

Green Actions:

• Rideshare, use I-PASS, walk or bike.
• Take CTA, Metra & PACE.
• Avoid excessive idling and abrupt starts.
• Use E85 in your flexible fuel vehicle.
• Postpone lawnmowing, gardening chores and recreational activities that use gasoline powered equipment on Air Pollution Action Days.
• Use a charcoal chimney or electric starter instead of lighter fluid when barbecuing.
• Limit use of household products that cause fumes.
• Conserve energy at home to reduce energy demands on power plants.
• Do not burn leaves and other yard waste.
• Avoid using fireplaces on Action Days.

Ozone forms as a result of industrial and vehicle emissions of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight and warm temperatures. High concentrations of ozone can cause health problems for area residents, especially those with heart or respiratory aliments. Residents should keep cool and limit physical activity when air pollution levels are high.

Particulate matter consists of tiny airborne particles that are often less than one-hundredth the width of a human hair. Like ground-level ozone (smog), particle pollution can aggravate respiratory and heart conditions. Exposure to particle pollution has also been linked to premature deaths. Unlike summertime ozone smog, unhealthful levels of particle pollution can occur in cooler months of the year as well.

Residents have an additional incentive for taking Green Actions through the Green Pays on Green Days program, which focuses on individual activities that help to reduce air pollution. Residents may enter the Green Pays on Green Days contest by visiting www.cleantheair.org and pledge to take just one or more of the Green Actions and be eligible to win a “Green Day” prize, an “Intermediate Prize” and the Grand Prize 2005 Toyota Prius.

The Partners for Clean Air coalition consists of businesses, government and health advocate groups committed to improving the region’s air quality through voluntary actions. More information can be found at: www.cleantheair.org.