Partners for Clean Air Newsletter
April 2007
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.
Save the Date!
When: Friday, May 11, 2007
What: The Partners for Clean Air Breakfast
More information soon.
Smog Watch
Check out the Smog Watch website for easy-to-read forecasts of air quality in your community. To sign up for email alerts on Air Quality Action days visit the Northwest Indiana sign up link.
Gary RailCats Asthma Awareness Day
On Tuesday, June 12, we will be celebrating our third annual Asthma Awareness Day at the US Steel Yard stadium in Gary, Indiana! Partners for Clean Air members from IDEM, NIRPC, Clean Air Car Check, South Shore Clean Cities, US Steel environmental affairs, and health educators from Methodist Hospitals and other local hospitals and clinics will be in attendance to help educate fans about asthma and other respiratory ailments, as well the environmental impact air pollution can have on sufferers. Children and adults alike will be able to learn about the disease and effective ways in which to guard against asthma attacks for those living with it. Please come join us!
Are you or someone you know a high school athlete with asthma in Northwest Indiana? Test your ability and win prizes competing in the Homerun Derby during the game! Contact Danielle Barnett at 219-757-0265 or dbarnett at idem.in.gov for more information.
Interested in learning more about idle reduction?
Idle Less, Save More! Tri-State Idle Reduction Conference
Presented by the Lake Michigan Clean Cities Consortium:
Chicago Area Clean Cities, Wisconsin Clean Cities - Southeast and South Shore Clean Cities
Thursday, May 10, 2007 - 9:00 a.m. (7:30 a.m. registration)
Holiday Inn Willowbrook
7800 South Kingery Highway
Willowbrook, Illinois (I-55 and Route 83)
Visit http://www.smartidle.com for registration form & details
Truck owners/operators, school bus, coach bus, and mass transit companies, government fleet representatives and school districts
Get the latest information on:
- Truck and bus idling laws and voluntary idling policies
- Idle reduction equipment options
- School district and trucking company success stories
- Idling equipment funding opportunities
Partners for Clean Air Coordinator - IDEM Northwest Regional Office
For questions, comments, or suggestions about the site, please contact Danielle Barnett, at dbarnett@idem.IN.gov or 219.757.0265
- What should I do with my old computers and electronics?
- Where can I recycle?
- What are “Pay-as-You-Throw” programs?
- How can I get funding for recycling programs?
- What is “household hazardous waste”?
- Why is mercury dangerous?
- Where can I find information about available IDEM grants, loans, or funds?
- What are the benefits of recycling?
- What is composting and how do I do it?
- Where can I find information about flooding?
