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The Clean Air Campaign provides education and
services to reduce smog and free metro Atlantans from the
cycle of traffic gridlock
During smog season, May 1 to September 30, our
hot, sunny weather makes it more likely ground-level ozone
concentrations will exceed federal limits. In fact, metro
Atlanta has recorded exceedences each year since monitoring
began in 1980. In 2002, the region experienced 38 days when
ozone levels were considered unhealthy for some or all of
the population.
In this region, the majority of nitrogen oxides
(NOx) emissions – one of two chemical components of ozone
- come from cars and trucks. The Clean Air Campaign, a non-profit
organization that serves as the clearinghouse for air quality
information and traffic mitigation services, works to increase
voluntary use of commute alternatives by offering free assistance
and financial incentives to employers and commuters. Reducing
traffic congestion not only improves air quality, it also
improves quality of life, benefiting individuals and employers.
Because ozone is hazardous to human health,
one of The Clean Air Campaign’s services is distribution of
Smog Alerts on days when ozone levels are expected to exceed
federal limits. The Air Quality Index (AQI), used to forecast
and report ozone levels, can help determine which days exposure
may impact you and your family.
The AQI color codes correspond to increasingly
severe conditions and the higher the reading, the more you
should consider limiting or postponing outdoor activities.
When the AQI rises into “Code Orange” or higher levels The
Clean Air Campaign issues a Smog Alert. It is important to
note that the highest smog levels usually occur between 3pm
and 7pm so that even on Smog Alert Days, you may be okay conducting
outdoor activities that occur outside of these hours. Health
experts recommend that active people and those with sensitivity
to ozone exercise in the mornings rather than evenings on
Smog Alert Days.
Because reactions to smog levels can be very
different from one person to another, you may need to factor
in individual sensitivities or health conditions. Depending
on sensitivities, some populations may even need to limit
exposure on “Code Yellow” (Moderate) days.
The good news is commute alternatives can help.
The best evidence of this comes from the 1996 Olympic experience.
During this time, many employers changed their policies, offering
teleworking and alternative work schedules, and many residents
tried transit. The reduced number of vehicle miles traveled
helped reduce ozone concentrations by 28 percent, and emergency
room visits by asthma patients decreased by 42 percent, according
to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
If you’d like to try a commute alternative,
The Clean Air Campaign is offering Cash for Commuters, where
you can earn up to $180 over a three-month period by carpooling,
teleworking, taking transit, biking or walking. For employers,
the organization also offers a vanpool incentive program,
where employees can ride for free for three months, and at
a reduced rate for an additional period.
To learn more about The Clean Air Campaign and
these programs, and to view smog alerts, visit www.cleanaircampaign.com,
or call 1-877-CLEANAIR.
10 Solutions to Smog Pollution
- Commute by carpool or vanpool, transit,
biking or walking
- Telework or use an alternative schedule
- Combine your trips and errands to reduce
driving
- Brown bag it – eat lunch in instead
of driving
- Don’t top off your gas tank – escaping
fumes contribute to smog formation
- Refuel vehicles after 6 PM or on non-Smog
Alert Days
- Drive on properly inflated tires and
within the speed limit for better gas mileage and
reduced emissions
- Use electric or natural gas grills
instead of charcoal and lighter fluids
- Use environmentally-safe paints and
cleaning supplies
- Be energy efficient by using Energy
Star products; turn off lights and office equipment
when not in use
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