Friday is the First Ozone Action Day of the Season
SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, announces that tomorrow, April 14 is the first Ozone Action day of the year for Southeast Michigan.
In its air quality advisory, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) noted that pollutants are expected to be in a range that is unhealthy for sensitive groups.
“Of concern are lower wind speeds which will allow for stagnation rather than the well mixed atmosphere under the breezy conditions of the past few days,” said Jim Haywood, Senior Meteorologist, EGLE. “This will affect Southeast Michigan the most,” Haywood said.
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.
“The sunny days and warm temperatures have been most welcome this week,” said Amy O’Leary, SEMCOG Executive Director. “While we enjoy another spring day tomorrow, it is important to be aware that concentrated air pollutants are a threat to the health of Southeast Michigan residents – especially our most vulnerable populations,” O’Leary said.
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 30th year of the voluntary program that helps keep Southeast Michigan’s air clean. In 2022, there were five Ozone Action days.
