Season's First Ozone Action Day Challenges Government, Business and Citizens to Fight Air Pollution

(MAY 29, 1998 - Baltimore) -- Ground-level ozone, also known as ozone smog, is expected to exceed the EPA health-based one-hour standard in the Baltimore area today. To help reduce ozone-forming emissions and protect the health of local citizens, Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) jurisdictions will join other members of ENDZONE Partners in activating their Ozone Action Days plans to help clear the air.

"Ozone Action Day plans are a voluntary way for local governments in the Baltimore metropolitan area to do their share for cleaner air," said Paul Farragut, Executive Director of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council. "Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Howard and Harford counties and Baltimore City have identified operations that can be modified to reduce emissions on Ozone Action Days and have also planned public outreach activities."

Ozone Action Days usually occur on hot days with lots of sun and little or no wind. Emissions from vehicles, power plants, gasoline-powered lawn equipment and household cleaners "cook" in the hot sunlight to form ground-level ozone. In combination with fine particulate matter, this chemical combination forms the smog or haze that hangs over the entire area.

Ground-level ozone can cause coughing and wheezing and be especially hazardous to individuals with asthma and other respiratory ailments. When ozone is in the Code Red zone, children and the elderly should reduce outdoor activities and healthy folks should limit strenuous outdoor work and exercise.

"Air pollution doesn't respect county or even regional boundaries," said Howard County Executive Charles I. Ecker, who serves as BMC Chair. "That's why it's so important that all of the local jurisdictions are working to reduce air pollution."

Local government Ozone Action Day plans include reducing or postponing mowing, paving and outdoor painting whenever possible, limiting vehicle idling and refueling fleets in the evening. Public outreach activities include flying the colorful Ozone Action Day flags, putting messages on county telephone hot-lines and alerting employees via e-mail. Howard County has planned a lunchtime rally at the County Office Complex to distribute pins and raffle off T-shirts and mugs to raise awareness and encourage employees to take actions to reduce emissions.

Some of the actions that can make a difference on Ozone Action Days include carpooling, taking mass transit, bringing a lunch to work, avoiding drive-thru windows and refueling after dark.