New Ozone Weed Trimmers

This holiday weekend is the unofficial start of summer. And that's got many folks in Green Country working in their yards.<br/><br/>But as temperature rises, so does the potential for ozone alert days.

Saturday, May 27th 2006, 6:35 pm

By: News On 6

This holiday weekend is the unofficial start of summer. And that's got many folks in Green Country working in their yards.

But as temperature rises, so does the potential for ozone alert days. News on Six Reporter Ashli Sims explains how you can get your gardening done, the clean air way.

Its a busy time of year for the home improvement business. Sunny days and warm temperatures have many folks thinking about sprucing up the yard.

Raymond Beard, Home Depot: "the heat is kicking in big time and a lotta people are trying to get at this yard work real early."

That's exactly what Jeff Jackson has planned for his holiday weekend. He's in the market for a new weed eater. Home Depot is pushing a new line that's not only user friendly with easy to remove strings... but also environmentally friendly.

Raymond Beard, Home Depot: "What echo did was come out with a more economical weed eater that has a system that cuts out a lot of those pollutants and stuff."

Weed eaters may have small engines, but they can be big time polluters... even more than your car. Their exhaust can add to harmful levels of ozone... which can cause health problems in some people.

John Selph, INCOG:"People with preexisting lung problems, heart problems, asthma. Those folks suffer on ozone alert days. They can tell you when ozone levels are high."

Newer models have a better filtration system that's easier on the environment.

Raymond Beard, Home Depot: "The air filter thats in them really provides a lot of filtration from alot of the pollutants you would encounter from cutting the yard."

Experts still advise against using your weed-eater or your lawn mower on ozone alert days. Just one way you can help keep Tulsa off the dirty air list.

Ozone Alert season kicked off this week... and we've already had one alert. Last year, we had 13 ozone alert days.