May 3, 2004

Today Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and DEQ Director Steven E. Chester announced the kick-off of the 2004 Ozone Action! season. Ozone Action! is the voluntary pollution reduction program that encourages people to make no-cost or low-cost clean air choices; especially on those days when poor air quality is anticipated due to ground-level ozone.

“Michigan’s air has vastly improved over the past 30 years,” Director Chester said. “We must continue to reduce the number of poor air quality days and it won’t happen through government regulation alone. We all must do our share for cleaner air.”

Not to be confused with the stratospheric ozone layer, ground-level ozone is a rather sneaky pollutant because it frequently occurs far from sources. Emissions are carried by summer winds, cooked by the sun, and form ozone pollution downwind - to both urban and rural areas throughout our state.

A partnership between Michigan Clean Air Coalitions and the Department of Environmental Quality Air Quality Division began more than 10 summers ago. At that time several areas of the state were struggling to meet the one-hour ozone standard. Southeast Michigan Council of Governments staffer Chuck Hersey suggested creation of a program to encourage voluntary emission reductions.

The “Clean Air Coalition of Southeast Michigan” formed in the spring of 1994 bringing together stakeholders from the private sector, state and local governments, academia, environmental groups and the general public. The program was christened “Ozone Action!” because the word “action” communicated that people didn’t have to be passive about air quality, that businesses and citizens have choices.

The program’s first year was so successful that a national conference was held in November to share the idea with other regional and state agencies. As a result, the “West Michigan Clean Air Coalition” formed and began their program in the summer of 1995. Since then, “Ozone Action” programs have been developed across the country.

Recognition has come slowly. At first, Ozone Action! was better known by the public as, “don’t mow your lawn” or “fill your tank in the evening” days. Today, the action tips remain simple –clean air choices for home, vehicles, lawn care, and businesses. For example, an ounce of spilled gasoline that evaporates into the air produces the same emissions as a car driving 56 miles. Multiply this by all the vehicles in one large city and you can see how many small actions can add up to significant emission reductions.

Ten years have past and the Ozone Action! Program continues to announce when poor air quality is expected. However, the recently enacted 8-hour ozone standard lowered the bar. The new 8-hour standard is more stringent, and more protective of human health.

Since 1998, Ozone Action! Days are forecast based on the 8-hour ozone daily health indicator. “It’s rather like playing Limbo,” explained DEQ Air Quality Division Chief Vince Hellwig. “Michigan met the 1-hour ozone standard, but the bar was lowered. More time and more source emission reductions are needed to meet the tougher 8-hour goal. Voluntary programs that reduce air emissions will certainly help.”

For more information on Ozone Action!, the Clean Air Coalitions, or Michigan air quality, go to www.michigan.gov/deqozoneaction.

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

Revised May 3, 2004 by Pat Watson