FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 31, 2000
Contacts:
Regg Olsen, Division of Air Quality, 536-4165
Laura Vernon, DEQ Public Information, 536-4484
Spare the Air Campaign Begins June 1
To help reduce summer smog, Wasatch Front residents are encouraged to reduce activities that contribute to ozone, the primary ingredient in smog. Summer smog is a major health and environmental problem in Salt Lake, Davis, Weber and Utah counties. Continued exposure to ozone can reduce lung function and lessen the body's ability to resist respiratory disease and other infections.
The Department of Environmental Quality's Spare the Air campaign begins its seventh season June 1. The campaign runs through the end of September. During these four months, the Air Monitoring Center may call voluntary no-drive days when pollution levels begin to climb. In 1999, favorable weather patterns greatly reduced the number of days we experienced inversions. In fact, Wasatch Front counties exceeded federal air quality standards only one day. In 1998, the standard was exceeded during 21 days.
Since cars cause about 50 percent of summer smog, residents can help keep pollution levels down by driving less. Leaving the car home one day a week, car pooling, riding a bike, walking, taking the bus or telecommuting are ways to reduce smog during the work week.
In addition to driving less or not at all on polluted days, residents can do the following:
For the latest pollution update, call the Air Pollution Hotline at 533-7239 in Salt Lake and Davis counties or (800) 228-5434 in Utah and Weber counties.