The Evansville Environmental Protection Agency and the Vanderburgh County Health Department have issued an OZONE ALERT for July 28, 2011 because ambient concentrations of Ozone may reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups level of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS).
The current ozone NAAQS was set by the U.S. EPA in 2008 at an eight-hour average of 76 parts per billion (ppb). Eight-hour ozone levels between 76 to 95 ppb are considered to be Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups such as children and active adults, and people with respiratory diseases like asthma on the Air Quality Index (AQI) scale.
Air Quality Index Ozone 8-hr average
Good 0-59 ppb
Moderate 60-75 ppb
>>>>>Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups 76-95 ppb
Unhealthy 96-115 ppb
Very Unhealthy 116-374 ppb
Within a few hours or days, exposure to higher levels of ozone can cause lung and throat irritation, shortness of breath, increase the frequency of asthma attacks and aggravate respiratory diseases such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis. Children, active adults, and people with respiratory diseases should limit prolonged outdoor exertion especially between 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. when ozone levels are highest.
NO OPEN BURNING is allowed during Ozone Alerts. The use of gas and charcoal grills is permitted, but we encourage postponing grilling until air quality improves.
To do your share to protect air quality and reduce pollution levels:
• USE PUBLIC TRANSIT – RIDE METS FREE ON OZONE ALERT DAYS!
• CONSERVE ENERGY of all kinds – turn off lights, reduce air conditioner use, etc.
• Limit your driving. Avoid unnecessary vehicle idling.
• Park and go inside instead of using drive-through windows, especially if there are long lines.
• Postpone fueling your vehicle until after 6:00 p.m. Don’t ‘top-off’ your tank when filling up.
• Consider using electric or manually operated lawn equipment. If you use gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment, stop working at 10:00 a.m. and / or postpone work until after 6:00 p.m.
• Limit the use of solvents, parts cleaning fluids, paint thinners and chemicals. Replace lids when finished.
• Postpone painting or use water-based paints instead of oil-based paints.
