May 15, 2006

The Department of Environmental Quality and CATA Clean Commute Options have partnered together to promote National Air Quality Awareness Week in Mid-Michigan. The week of May 15-19, was designated to help educate the public about air quality concerns.

Michigan residents are encouraged to become “aware about air” during the week, and each day will focus on a different outdoor air quality topic:

• Monday – What is Air Pollution?

• Tuesday – What Affects My Air Quality?

• Wednesday – Keeping Your Lungs and Heart Safe

• Thursday – How Air Quality Forecasts Are Made (and how they help)

• Friday – What You Can Do To Make The Air Cleaner.

Throughout the year there are days when air quality could pose potential health risks such as asthma and lung problems in certain populations due to weather conditions, high ozone levels, or other impairments. Air Quality Awareness Week aims to educate people across Michigan about what causes outdoor air pollution, what people can do to protect their health when air quality is poor, and how they can reduce pollution by making simple choices in their daily lives.

While Air Quality Awareness Week is a national effort, state programs provide Michigan residents with information and choices specific to our state and our communities.

DEQ Director Steven E. Chester encourages Michigan residents to sign-up for EnviroFlash, the DEQ’s free service that allows anyone to receive air quality forecasts for the following day via e-mail or text message. Users can customize the service to notify them when certain air quality forecasts are expected, and EnviroFlash also alerts them to Ozone Action! Days.

“Air Quality Awareness Week will assist Michiganians in making informed decisions about their health, and educate them as to the importance of improving our air quality,” said Director Chester.

In Mid-Michigan, transportation choices play a significant role in the quality of the air. CATA Clean Commute Options program is encouraging Mid-Michigan residents to make clean air choices by choosing alternatives to driving alone. These choices include options such as taking the bus, car or vanpooling, biking, or walking. Simple steps to take on days when ground-level ozone levels are high include not mowing your lawn, don’t idle your engine, and fuel your tank after 5:00 pm.

“Becoming aware of the air quality problem is the first step. Individuals taking actions to improve the air quality is the ultimate goal. Don’t wait to participate in improving the quality of the air in the tri county area,” said Debbie Alexander, CATA’s Assistant Executive Director.

More information about air quality levels and clean air choices is available from the following Websites: National www.airnow.gov; Michigan www.michigan.gov/deqair; Lansing Area www.cata.org.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

“Protecting Michigan’s Environment, Ensuring Michigan’s Future”

Revised May 15, 2006 by Pat Watson