Lower Federal Smog Standard Means More Orange and Red AQI Days
Sacramento, Calif. – May 1 marks the beginning of the Sacramento region’s Spare The Air season, and the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District encourages residents to take larger strides to improve air quality in the region. Residents in the Sacramento area could experience more unhealthy air days this summer due to the implementation of a new lower federal ozone standard. Air quality isn’t getting worse, but scientific health studies conducted since 1997 have shown that ozone pollution is harmful at even lower levels. In response, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency just lowered the federal ground-level ozone health standard from 0.084 to 0.075 parts per million averaged over eight hours.
The amount of pollution in the air is communicated through the Air Quality Index, which is a widely publicized, color-coded chart reporting daily air quality – from “good” to “hazardous.” The AQI chart was adjusted to correlate with the lower standard, so a Spare The Air advisory will now be issued when ozone pollution is forecast to meet or exceed 150 AQI. Previously, the trigger was 127 AQI. In addition, due to the lower standard, communities will see more orange (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups) and red (Unhealthy) days when viewing ozone maps located on www.SpareTheAir.com.
“Hopefully everyone has come to think of the Spare The Air season as a time to reduce driving and increase carpooling,” says Larry Greene, Executive Director of the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District. “While these are two of the best ways for people to individually reduce air pollution, this summer we are asking people to take it a step further and implement pollution-reducing activities in and around the home on a daily basis,” continued Greene. It’s important to remember that poor air quality affects everyone, and even the smallest behavior changes can help area residents stay healthy while helping to improve the environment.
In addition to reducing your driving, start at home by following these tips:
- Garden “green”: Avoid the use of gas-powered lawn mowers, leaf blowers and other garden equipment.
- Use an electric starter or chimney briquette starter instead of charcoal lighter fluid to start your barbecue. Better yet, replace your charcoal grill with a propane gas or electric grill.
- Avoid the use of pesticides. If you must, use either a granular or water-based solution because they do not contribute to smog.
- Don’t use oil-based paints or varnishes which contain a high percentage of solvents that evaporate into the atmosphere and contribute to air pollution problem. Use water-based paints whenever possible.
- Postpone outings on gas or diesel-powered boats, trail bikes or all-terrain vehicles because they are high pollution sources.
- Sign up for the daily AQI forecast through Air Alert – a free air quality e-mail notice.
- Take public transit, walk or bike for commute, errands and recreation.
Lori Bauder, a resident of Sacramento and mother of two, has incorporated many of these simple tips into her everyday life. “You don’t think about all the pollution you create every day until you see your child gasping for air. When my oldest daughter was diagnosed with asthma, I knew we had to make changes in our home and lifestyle. Every little thing you do adds up and can make a big difference,” she says.
Everyone is affected by poor air quality. Do your part to help. Please visit www.SpareTheAir.com for more information and helpful tips. Spare The Air and spare your health!