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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2003
Contacts:
Rick Sprott, Division of Air Quality Director, (801) 536-4000
Laura Vernon, DEQ Public Information Officer, (801) 536-4484
The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is strongly advising residents along the Wasatch Front to limit their driving and do other things to help reduce high ozone levels through at least Thursday. The Wasatch Front is expected to experience very hot temperatures, little moisture and calm winds, which will contribute to more ozone.
"Conditions are ripe all this week for more ozone, and there will be a definite risk to health, especially for our children and parents," said Rick Sprott, director of the Division of Air Quality. "Several weeks of hot temperatures and pollution have kept ozone levels relatively high. Ozone hasn't been able to decrease much at night, which means that the hot, dry days are starting out with higher ozone levels that just get higher as the day goes on."
According to Sprott, five air monitors exceeded the federal health standard for ozone on Friday, July 18. Friday's exceedences mark the fourth day in July Utah has had ozone levels above the health standard.
"We are walking a very fine line with the ozone health standard," he said. "We really need people to do everything they possibly can to reduce ozone."
Residents can "Choose Clear Air" by carpooling, riding the bus or TRAX, postponing errands that can wait or combining errands into one trip, limiting a car's idling time, telecommuting, walking or riding a bike, conserving energy, keeping solvents and paints in airtight containers, filling the gas tank in the evening, using electric instead of gasoline-powered yard equipment and choosing other activities listed on DEQ's "Clean Air Utah" Web site at www.cleanair.utah.gov.
Ozone is an invisible gas formed from vehicle and industrial emissions in the presence of heat and sunlight. Continued exposure to ozone can cause breathing problems, reduce lung function, irritate eyes and nasal passages and reduce resistance to colds and other infections.
Those most at risk are active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma. To reduce exposure to ozone, they should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
If you have questions or concerns, contact your health care provider. In addition to visiting the "Clean Air Utah" Web site, residents can call the Air Pollution Hotline at 975-4009 or (800) 228-5434 for current air quality conditions.
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