Poor Air Quality

The heat has been building recently, but so has the ozone. That's why air quality is poor across much of the Mid Atlantic and Northeast. Ozone is good in the ozone layer which is high in the atmosphere. But, ground-level ozone is bad and it's the main ingredient in smog.

Ozone is a colorless gas formed by the reaction of sunlight with vehicle emissions, gasoline fumes, solvent vapors, and power plant and industrial emissions. Ozone formation is most likely in hot, dry weather when the air is fairly still. Ozone and particle pollution have been linked to short-term health concerns, particularly among children, people with asthma and heart or lung disease, and older adults.



There is a CODE RED AIR QUALITY in effect today for the following locations:
DC
Baltimore
Philadelphia
Northern Virginia

There is a CODE ORANGE AIR QUALITY in effect today for the following locations:
MD Eastern Shore
Delaware
Atlantic City, NJ
Harrisburg, PA
Allentown, PA
Richmond, Hampton Roads area

So, what can you do?
* Keep an eye on the pollutant levels for your area.
* When levels are high, stay inside if you can. Avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
* Help keep pollutant levels low by avoiding unnecessary fuel consumption. Use carpools and fuel-efficient vehicles.
* Avoid the use of any other gasoline engines, such as mowers and other lawn equipment, or boat motors. (if you must use these, do so in the morning or evening)
* Save power by turning off lights and appliances when they are not needed.
* Avoid burning yard debris or brush.

Here are some links for more information:
http://www.mde.state.md.us/Air/index.asp
http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.actiondays
http://www.air-watch.net/