VIDEO: Help Keep Air Clean on Ozone Action Days, Including July 11

(SEMCOG, July 10. 2022)

Oakland County, MI – SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, announces that Monday, July 11 is an Ozone Action day in Southeast Michigan.

Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy meteorologists noted that ongoing sunny, warm conditions are expected to result in an ozone concentrations range that is unhealthy – especially for sensitive groups.

It is important for local governments, businesses, and individuals to do what they can to voluntarily lower pollutant emissions on Ozone Action days when high levels of ozone are expected. Breathing high concentrations of ozone can cause a variety of health problems, particularly for the elderly, children, and people with asthma or other respiratory issues.

“We encourage everyone to take care as we begin this week,” said Amy O’Leary, SEMCOG Executive Director. “To help protect our most vulnerable populations, please do what you can to reduce activities that lead to pollution and to minimize exposure to unhealthy air.”

Here are some actions that Southeast Michigan residents can follow to help minimize ozone formation:

• Delay mowing your lawn until evening or the next day. Exhaust from your lawn mower and other gas-powered lawn and garden equipment help form ozone.
• Drive less, telecommute, bike, or walk. You’ll reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, as well as save money.
• Avoid refueling your vehicle during daylight hours. Fumes released at the gas pump contribute to ozone formation.
• Delay or combine errands. This will reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.
• Reduce electricity use. Adjust your thermostat a few degrees higher and turn off lights, computers, and other electrical devices when not in use.

Many of the ozone actions listed above are good ideas to practice every day of the week. Learn more routine actions that can also help reduce pollution and save money by reducing fuel consumption.

Ozone Action days are announced in area media and other outlets, including electronic freeway message signs. Additional information on Ozone Action days is available on SEMCOG’s website.

Residents wishing to be added to SEMCOG’s Ozone Action email notification list should send an email to ozoneaction@semcog.org; put “notification” in the subject line and include name, phone number, and email address in the body of the message.

Those interested can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn. In addition to our traditional email notifications, we will use these pages to keep Southeast Michigan residents up-to-speed on a variety of topics related to air quality, including weekly weather forecasts, with frequency increasing as weather conditions dictate.

Air quality is one of the important measures identified in SEMCOG plans and programs for creating desirable communities and a positive regional image for Southeast Michigan. This is the 29th year of the voluntary program that helps keep Southeast Michigan’s air clean. In 2021, there were five Ozone Action days.