Pollution Prevention: Reducing Ground-level Ozone

Beat the heat and reduce ozone pollution

During the summer months, hot and stagnant air leads to increases in ground-level ozone pollution, which is formed when emissions from everyday items combine with other pollutants and “cook” in the heat and sunlight. Sources of such emissions include local industry, oil and gas production, gasoline-powered vehicles, gasoline-powered lawn equipment and household paints, stains and solvents.

The highest ozone levels are usually recorded when temperatures approach the high 80s and 90s and when the wind is stagnant or light.

Although weather conditions are uncontrollable, you can limit ozone formation by “chilling out” and avoiding activities – such as mowing the lawn or running errands – on hot summer days. Here are a few clean air tips that will allow all of us to breathe easier this summer:

• Inflate your vehicle’s tires – this can improve your gas mileage by more than three percent.

• Check your vehicle’s air filter – replacing a dirty air filter can improve your gas mileage by up to 10 percent.

• Carpool, bike or take the bus to work – you can save between $500 and $2,200 each year by not commuting alone in your car.

• Recycle your old lawn mower – operating a pre-1997 mower for an hour pollutes as much as driving from Denver to Fort Collins!

• Be smart when you refuel – fill your gas tank during the cool evening hours and stop at the "click."

• Consolidate trips – To reduce total miles driven, try to take care of multiple errands in one trip - and try to limit driving to cooler hours of the day.

At ground level, ozone pollution is harmful to all of us – especially the young and the elderly. Ozone can trigger attacks and symptoms in individuals with pre-existing health conditions, such as asthma and respiratory infections. High levels of ozone pollution can even affect healthy people who work or exercise outdoors.

The Front Range ozone season runs from June through August. Help take care of our summer air by taking the pledge to “chill” this summer. Visit www.OzoneAware.org.

By participating in these simple ozone reduction strategies, you can help keep the metropolitan-Denver region a healthy and clean city in which to live, work and play.

To find out about current air quality conditions, visit www.OzoneAware.org or call the 24-hour hotline at 303-758-4848.