Ozone Alert Season

Tuesday, July 10th 2007, 8:00 am

By: News On 6

A summer full of rain has kept Green Countryâ€™s air quality in the good range, but now that the sun is shining and temperatures are going up there is a chance the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality will have to issue an Ozone Alert.

In Oklahoma Ozone Alerts are issued on days when ozone levels are expected to be high. The "Ozone Season" for the Tulsa Area runs from May 1st through the end of September. It's during these warm months that the weather conditions and hydrocarbon emissions combine to create ground level ozone.

Ozone, the main ingredient of smog, can cause a number of respiratory problems from coughing to a sore throat. It can also affect lung function making it difficult to breathe.

So what can you do to keep Oklahomaâ€™s air cleaner?

Keep your car tuned up. An out-of-tune car spews out pollution

Mow your yard on windy days. When the wind is blowing it also blows away the ozone pollution.

Walk, ride a bike or take the bus to work, or to run errands.

On Ozone Alert days you can reduce pollution by:

Driving less on Ozone Alert Days

Carpool or ride the bus on your commute to work or school.

Refuel vehicles in the evening.

Keep your car tuned up and your tires properly inflated.

Wait to do lawn work that requires gas powered lawn equipment.