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Air Quality Could Cost You
2009-06-23
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Ever since the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lowered the primary standard for ozone, it's become more difficult for Oklahoma City to attain that level.
Although the city has seen a decrease in ozone levels, local officials said that air quality is critical to everyone's health.
"Ozone can be harmful at lower levels than previously thought," said Skyla McElhaney, Department of Environmental Quality Spokesperson.
The standard for ozone went from 0.080 ppm to 0.075 ppm. That's down enough to make us a dirty-air city.
"The impact is real.
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I hope folks out there start taking this seriously, because now more than ever, we really are in danger of losing our clean air designation," said Jerry Church, Spokesperson for the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments.
If the city does not stay below the ozone mark, consumers could see speed limits lowered, gas prices raised, and even a mandatory vehicle inspection.
Church added, "We eliminated our previous state inspection program, because it was ineffective, and quite frankly it was a nuisance. People hated to do it."
Businesses could also be affected, making sure they don't emit any pollutants into the air.
There are precautions people can take during an ozone alert. The Department of Environmental Quality suggests that people carpool or take the bus and also run errands all at one time.
"Also, limit use of two-cycle engines like lawn mowers and weed eaters and things like that," added McElhaney.
Gasoline vapors from moving vehicles add to the raised ozone levels. However, through the economic woes, people are driving less and operating more fuel-efficient vehicles.
The air quality program has a long lasting impact in Oklahoma City, which means the public will have to make a conscious effort to prevent the city from becoming a dirty-air designation.
The city will find out in March if the metro has gone over or under the standard ozone mark. If we do receive a dirty-air deisgnation, the city will have until 2013 to set a plan for compliance.
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Source: Thunder TV
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