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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 19, 2002
Contacts:
Rick Sprott, Division of Air Quality Director, (801) 536-4000
Laura Vernon, DEQ Public Information Officer, (801) 536-4484
As our temperature moves into the 90s and higher, ozone levels around the Wasatch Front will begin to increase. The Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will continue to call "no-drive days" when exceptionally high ozone concentrations are forecast. To help residents know what other steps they can take, especially if they can't get out of their vehicles, DEQ has launched a new "Choose Clean Air" program and Web site at www.cleanair.utah.gov.
"The 'Choose Clean Air' program and Web site are designed to help people start thinking about their choices," said Rick Sprott, director of the Division of Air Quality. "We are still encouraging people to get out of their vehicles as much as possible, particularly on high ozone days. If they can't get out of their cars, there are still actions they can take."
By visiting the Web site, people can develop a daily plan of action, personalized to their needs, that includes steps they can take at home and at work as well as ways to drive less and drive smarter.
Restrictions placed on industry and other major sources over the last 20 years have made a big difference in cleaning up air quality. Automobiles manufactured after 1996 are also much cleaner than their earlier counterparts.
"Now, as our population continues to grow, we have reached a place where it is the things that individuals do collectively that make the biggest difference in our air quality," said Midvale Mayor JoAnn Seghini, who is also a member of the Air Quality Board.
Ozone can cause respiratory problems, especially in sensitive populations such as asthmatics, young children, and the elderly.
"Estimates are that one in three Utahns experiences some type of respiratory problem during high pollution periods, and emergency room visits and hospital admission for asthma increase about 24 hours after ozone levels are high," said Dr. Wayne Samuelson, a University of Utah pulmonary specialist and Air Quality Board member. "I know I'll be busy at the clinic when I see smoggy air on my way in to work."
Ground-level ozone, frequently referred to as summer smog, is formed when emissions from automobiles, industry, and other sources react to bright sunshine and high temperatures. The highest concentrations usually occur between 2 and 8 p.m.
"Because ozone is weather dependent, we recognize there are some things that are beyond our control. We are encouraging people to take steps for the things that are in their control," Sprott said.
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