Breathing outdoor air expected to be un-healthy for children Thursday

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Air quality on Thursday is expected to be in the ORANGE range.

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On Air Quality Advisory days, everyone can help reduce air pollution by taking the following actions:

  • Take the bus, carpool, bike, or walk instead of drive.
  • Refuel your vehicle after 8 p.m.; do not top off when refueling and tighten the gas cap.
  • Do not idle your vehicle.
  • Combine trips or eliminate unnecessary vehicle trips.
  • Keep your vehicle maintained with properly inflated tires and timely oil changes.
  • Avoid use of gasoline-powered lawn equipment on Air Quality Advisory days.
  • Avoid use of oil-based paints and stains on Air Quality Advisory days.
  • Never burning leaves or other yard trimmings.
  • Always burning clean, seasoned wood in outdoor fire pits, fireplaces and wood stoves.
  • Not using fire pits or fireplaces for non-essential home heating on Air Quality Advisory days.

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air-alertLoveland, Oh. – The Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency has issued an Air Quality Advisory for Thursday, June 11 for Loveland, Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren counties in Ohio and Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties in Kentucky.

The Agency expects to see levels of ozone and particles in the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” range on the Air Quality Index (AQI).

 

Children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

Key Facts to Know About Ozone:

    • Ozone in the air we breathe can cause serious health problems, including breathing difficulty, asthma attacks, lung damage, and early death.
    • Ozone forms in the sun, usually on hot summer days. Ozone is worse in the afternoon and early evening, so plan outdoor activities for the morning.
  • You can reduce your exposure to ozone and still get exercise! Use the Air Quality Index (AQI) at www.airnow.gov to plan your activity.
What is ozone?

Ozone is a colorless gas that can be good or bad, depending on where it is. Ozone in the stratosphere is good because it shields the earth from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Ozone at ground level, where we breathe, is bad because it can harm human health.

Ozone forms when two types of pollutants (VOCs and NOx) react in sunlight. These pollutants come from sources such as vehicles, industries, power plants, and products such as solvents and paints.

Why is ozone a problem?

Ozone can cause a number of health problems, including coughing, breathing difficulty, and lung damage. Exposure to ozone can make the lungs more susceptible to infection, aggravate lung diseases, increase the frequency of asthma attacks, and increase the risk of early death from heart or lung disease.

Do I need to be concerned?

Even healthy adults can experience ozone’s harmful effects, but some people may be at greater risk. They include:

  • People with lung disease such as asthma
  • Children, including teenagers, because their lungs are still developing and they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults
  • Older adults
  • People who are active outdoors, including outdoor workers
How can I protect my children and myself?

Use the Air Quality Index (AQI) to plan outdoor activities. To keep the AQI handy, sign up for EnviroFlash emails, get the free AirNow app, or install the free widget on your website. Find all of these tools at www.airnow.gov.

Stay healthy: exercise, eat a balanced diet, and keep asthma under control with your asthma action plan.

When you see that the AQI is unhealthy, take simple steps to reduce your exposure:

  • Choose a less-strenuous activity
  • Take more breaks during outdoor activity
  • Reschedule activities to the morning or to another day
  • Move your activity inside where ozone levels are usually lower
Can I help reduce ozone?

Yes! Here are a few tips.

  • Turn off lights you are not using
  • Drive less: carpool, use public transportation, bike or walk
  • Keep your engine tuned, and don’t let your engine idle
  • Do not re-fuel on Alert Days. When refueling: stop when the pump shuts off, avoid spilling fuel, and tighten your gas cap
  • Inflate tires to the recommended pressure
  • Use low-VOC paint and cleaning products, and seal and store them so they can’t evaporate
  • Watch for Air Quality Action Days in your area

 

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What Is Idling?

An idling vehicle is one that has a running engine when it is parked or not in use. The most common reasons for engine idling are:

  • warming up the car
  • waiting for someone
  • running an errand

Other reasons, reported by drivers include:

  • personal comfort
  • listening to the radio
  • parking illegally
  • convenience
Why Is Idling a Problem?

Idling wastes money and natural resources, affects the environment and harms our health.

 

 

Wildflower House

 

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