MIAMI VALLEY — An Air Pollution Advisory has been issued through Saturday, for Clark, Greene, Miami, and Montgomery Counties. The Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission and the Regional Air Pollution Control Agency have issued the warning.
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Weather conditions are reported to be conducive for the formation of ground -level ozone and may lead to elevated air pollution levels.
The Air Quality Index is projected to be 108 Thursday and any reading at 101 or higher is demmed unhealthy for sensitive groups.
The Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission suggests the following during Air Pollution Advisories:
AVOID DRIVING IF POSSIBLE. Carpool/vanpool or take the bus. Vehicle emissions cause almost 50% of ground-level ozone. For short trips, walk or ride a bike.
REFUEL YOUR VEHICLE ONLY AFTER 8:00 P.M., OR IF POSSIBLE, DON'T REFUEL AT ALL WHEN AIR POLLUTION ADVISORY NOTICES HAVE BEEN ISSUED. Vapors from gasoline contribute to the smog problem. By refueling after 8:00 p.m. when it's cooler, smog doesn't form as easily. Make sure your gas cap fits tightly so gas fumes don't escape and contribute to the smog problem.
IF YOU MUST DRIVE, try to combine running errands or delay them until the Air Pollution Advisory notice is lifted.
DRIVE A CAR THAT IS WELL-TUNED. Avoid "jackrabbit" acceleration and excessive idling, especially at drive-thru windows. If you have to wait for 2 minutes or more, it's better to turn off the engine and go inside.
AROUND THE HOME, limit your use of small gasoline-powered equipment such as lawn mowers, chainsaws, power trimmers and shredders. Operating a gasoline-powered lawn mower for one (1) hour produces the same amount of pollution as driving a car for eleven (11) hours! Try a "push" or battery-powered lawn mower instead.
MOW YOUR LAWN IN THE EVENING when the sunlight is not as strong and smog is less likely to form.
For more information about air pollution, contact the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission, at (937) 223-6323, or the Regional Air Pollution Control Agency, at (937) 225-4435.
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