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The good news is Quad Cities doesn’t have severe air pollution. The bad news
is that over the last seven years there have been days when air quality has been
considered poor or unhealthy. These days have typically occurred between the months of May and September, our “Ozone Season”.  A Quad
Cities Air Quality Task Force, formed in 1998, is making strides to raise
awareness and encourage reductions in activities that contribute to smog.
The Task Force is composed of local public works officials, transit operators,
representatives of major industries, state resource agencies, universities and
interested citizens. For more information, download the materials below.
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Daily Ozone Mapping
http://www.airnow.gov
Color contours of measured Air Quality Index values show ozone levels across
the specified geographic area. Maps are currently available for 38 states, the
District
of Columbia and parts of Canada. Complete with map archives and animation that
reflects 8-hour average concentrations, calculated from observed 1-hour data.
What Is Ozone?
Ozone is a highly reactive, complex form of oxygen. In the upper
atmosphere, ozone protects the earth from ultraviolet radiation. At ground level
where we breath, too much ozone is a pollutant. Elevated amounts of ozone are
linked to increased respiratory illness and reduction of lung function. Persons
may experience symptoms such as chest pains and coughing when exposed to relatively
low levels of ozone during moderate periods of exercise. Children, elderly and
persons with existing respiratory problems are especially sensitive to the effects
of ozone.
How Is Ozone Formed?
Ground level ozone, often called smog, is formed when hydrocarbons
(volatile organic compounds or VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (Nox) mix with the energy
from the sun. A hot, sunny day with stagnant air provides the basis for the sun
to heat up these pollutants. A variety of sources contribute to the mix of pollutants.
Sources of VOCs and NOx include emissions from transportation (motor vehicles),
fuel combustion (power plants), industrial processes (factories) and consumer,
commercial products (paints and solvents).
Unhealthy Episodes
Since Fall 1998, the Quad Cities, Iowa/Illinois has been alerted
by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IADNR) and Illinois Environmental
Protection Agency (ILEPA) that the metropolitan area has experienced a few summer
days where ozone levels in the atmosphere have been considered unhealthy. Although
the general air quality in the Quad Cities is considered good by many of the
standards for pollutants, there are recent National Ambient Air Quality Standards
(1998) that have revised thresholds for concentrations of ozone in the lower
atmosphere based on health considerations. It is this health-based threshold
that concern
Quad Cities officials and the state agencies.
In reaction to this news, the Quad Cities Air Quality
Task Force was formed to monitor the ozone situation and to begin education
efforts within the community in order improve Quad Cities' air quality. Offering
a workshop to teachers with a selection of existing lesson plans from around
the Nation is one of these education efforts to raise awareness of ozone and
its health
effects as well as offer individual ways each of us can make a difference.
Who's Involved?
Everyone is involved! Each person can make a difference. Local,
state and federal officials and businesses in the Quad Cities are working together
to raise awareness and maintaining good air quality. Voluntary efforts by each
of us can have a cumulative effect on ozone during the most critical days of the
year. This "Aware of Air" website is one effort to raise awareness and educate
teachers and students on ways to help reduce smog episodes in the Quad Cities.
What You Can Do To Improve Air Quality Today and Tomorrow
Find out how you can make an impact on improving air quality
in the Quad Cities. There are simple actions individuals
can
take
to reduce ozone forming pollutants.
Each individual can make a difference in air quality. Try these suggestions to
help reduce ground level ozone in the Quad Cities, Iowa/Illinois:
- Bicycle, walk, car or van-pool or use the bus instead of using your car or truck.
- Avoid congested roads or bridges by taking another route.
- Avoid excessive idling and abrupt starts and stops in traffic, at the drive-through window or waiting for your child.
- Avoid operating gas-powered lawn equipment when the weather is very hot. If you cannot postpone the activity then try to delay it until late in the day. Or better yet, use electric-powered lawn equipment.
- Postpone painting, varnishing or finishing work on hot days.
- Barbecue with an electric starter or charcoal chimney instead of using lighter fluid.
- Conserve energy in your home to reduce energy need from power plants.
Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs.
- Use alternative fuels, such as ethanol, propane, bio-diesel, natural gas, electric or solar.
- Try working at home using the phone or your home computer instead of driving to work.
- Bring a sack lunch to work instead of going out for lunch.
- Maintain propane tanks with periodic check ups.
- Maintain your vehicles and tightly close gas caps on your vehicle, personal watercraft and your gas-powered lawn equipment.
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It All Adds Up To Cleaner Air
 aoa-bro.pdf (963 KB)
Download local news tab on ozone reduction efforts.
Visit the It All Adds Up To Cleaner Air - Download Center for the latest in media materials
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Hands-Free Commuting...Take the Bus
Tomorrow, leave home without it.
Take The Online Quiz:
Care for Your Car and Yourself
Air Pollution Prevention from Earth911 |
Transit Fact Sheet.pdf
