Partners for Clean Air Newsletter
May 2009
Welcome Partners and Visitors,
After a decision to raise awareness on the effects of both ozone and PM2.5 (particles that are 2.5 micrograms (µm) in diameter, "Ozone Action Days" are now "Air Quality Action Days". By informing their communities on how to decrease both of these pollutants, Partners for Clean Air will have the opportunity to increase awareness and reduce the environmental hazards that ground level ozone and PM2.5 pose.
Ozone (O3) is a gas composed of three oxygen atoms and is created by a chemical reaction between oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds in the presence of heat and sunlight. This is why Air Quality Action Days are a likely occurrence on particularly hot and sunny days. Ozone has the same chemical structure whether it occurs above the earth or at ground level. Although helpful when it occurs in the stratosphere approximately 10 to 30 miles above earth by forming a layer that protects us from the sun's harmful rays, breathing it in at ground level can be harmful. Days on which ground level ozone production is high can be especially hazardous for asthma sufferers, the elderly, young children, and anyone with respiratory problems. People affected should limit their outdoor activity on Air Quality Action Days.
For more information on ozone please visit the Office of Air Quality Ozone Fact Sheet.
PM2.5 or fine particles come from different sources including industrial and residential combustion activities and vehicle exhaust. Causes of this pollutant that are emitted directly into the air can come from various motor vehicles, factories, stone crushing, wood burning, and more. Other particles may be formed in the air from the chemical change of gases. They are indirectly formed when gases from burning fuels react with sunlight and water vapor. Because of this, high heat and sunlight associated with summer temperatures (much like with ground ozone formation) can increase the risk and amount of this pollutant. These gases can come from fuel combustion in motor vehicles, at power plants, and in other industrial processes. So by keeping your car trips and power needs to a minimum on Air Quality Action Days, you will be helping to reduce the risk of ozone and particulate matter production together.
For more information on fine particles (PM2.5) please visit the Office of Air Quality Fine Particles Fact Sheet.
Partners for Clean Air Breakfast
Please join us for the Annual Partners for Clean Air Kick-off Breakfast to learn more about Air Quality Action Days and what you and your business can do to "Clear the Air"!
- Where: IVY Tech. College in Valparaiso, IN
- When: Thursday, April 8, 2010
- Time: 8 – 11 a.m.
RSVP required by April 5, 2010. Please call or e-mail Letty Zepeda, Partners Coordinator at (219) 757-0278 or lzepeda at idem.IN.gov.
Guests Welcome!
Smog Watch
Check out the Smog Watch Web site for easy-to-read forecasts of air quality in your community. To sign up for e-mail alerts on Air Quality Action days, please use the Northwest Indiana sign up page.
Gary RailCats Asthma Awareness Day
Check back for more information soon.
Partners for Clean Air Coordinator - IDEM Northwest Regional Office
For questions, comments, or suggestions about the site, please contact the Partners for Clean Air Coordinator via email at "info at idem.IN.gov", or by phone: (219) 757-0278
Stay Connected
