Air Quality Alert issued August 20 at 2:54PM CDT by NWS Tulsa OK
The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air
Quality Alert for Ozone for Friday, for the Tulsa Metropolitan
area.
An ozone alert means that conditions are favorable for the buildup
of ozone near the ground, to an unhealthy level. When winds are
light, the vapors from fuels such as gasoline, exhaust from engines,
and air pollutants from industrial activities remain trapped near
the ground. If sunshine is abundant when these air pollutants build
up, a chemical process is triggered that results in the development
of ozone near the ground during the afternoon and evening hours.
While ozone in the upper levels of the atmosphere is beneficial in
screening the suns radiation, it is harmful near the ground. Ozone
can bother those with respiratory problems and can damage
vegetation.
A few simple measures can be taken to help keep the ozone levels
from becoming unhealthy. During ozone alert days:
Postpone any unnecessary driving and car pool if possible. If you do
drive to work,turn The air conditioner in your car off during your
morning commute. You can also cut down on extra driving by bringing
your lunch to work. If you must refuel your vehicle, do it in the
evening after the sun goes down or postpone your fueling to another
day.
Postpone running the lawn mower and gas trimmer, the exhaust from
these small engines contributes a significant amount of pollution to
the air. Industrial facilities should reduce pollution emissions as
much as possible on ozone alert days.
These preventative measures, performed throughout the Tulsa metro
area, can have a tremendous effect in reducing the pollutants that
contribute to ozone problems.
For further information, contact The Oklahoma Department of
Environmental Quality at (918) 293-1600 or the Indian Nations
Council of Governments /INCOG/ at (918) 584-7526. Additional
information can also be found at www.ozonealert.com... including
current ozone levels around the Tulsa area.
Varoitus voimassa to klo 22:54 - la klo 4:00
