Air Quality Action Day!
Well, this was perhaps being stupid by trying to be good. The signs along the Belt/Southern Parkway said that today was an Air Quality Action Day, and that we should carpool or use mass transit. So me, trying to be a good citizen, cycled to work today instead. (This isn't actually unusual in nice weather since I try to cycle to work whenever possible)
But in composing a clever little entry about how I was helping maintain the air quality and how I was taking action, I came across the NYSDOT page about it. It was under "Alerts" rather than, say, "What You Can Do To Help" which means...ummm...
An AIR QUALITY ACTION DAY is posted for Tuesday, June 26, for the Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and New York City Metro areas. High levels of Ozone are expected in the Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and New York City Metro areas on Tuesday, June 26.
Air Quality Action Days are days when air quality is predicted to be in the unhealthy range for sensitive groups.
For information on Air Quality Action Days and what you can do to avoid air pollution effects, please visit the Clean Air NY The preceding external link opens a new browser window Web site.
For more information on air quality forecasts, please see the Air Quality Index ForecastThe preceding external link opens a new browser window for New York State at the Department of Environmental Conservation's Web site.
Here is a list of steps to take on Air Quality Action Days:
* Stay Indoors. Air Quality Action Days are a great time to stay indoors to catch up on the television programs you recorded, to play board games with your family or to finish that book you started months ago. This is especially true for people with heart and lung problems, the elderly and children who are more sensitive to air pollution.
* Limit Driving. Here's your excuse for not going to the grocery store or not taking other trips. Those who must travel can still help by limiting driving and engine idling or preferably by not driving their car at all. Share a ride, use transit or work from home.
* Refuel After Dark. This prevents certain pollutants from being emitted into the air that react with sunlight and heat to create ground-level ozone.
* Air Condition Less. Set your home air conditioner at a slightly higher temperature than normal (you can drink cold water to cool down to compensate if it is warm outside). This will conserve energy and cut pollution.
* Slow, Don't Mow. The grass can wait. While it's preferable not to have a gas-powered lawn mower at all, if you do have one, don't use it on Air Quality Action Days.
* Home Improvement Procrastination. Delay use of aerosol consumer products. Painting and spraying add harmful vapors to air indoors and outdoors.
It's a good thing I'm in good health, eh?
But in composing a clever little entry about how I was helping maintain the air quality and how I was taking action, I came across the NYSDOT page about it. It was under "Alerts" rather than, say, "What You Can Do To Help" which means...ummm...
An AIR QUALITY ACTION DAY is posted for Tuesday, June 26, for the Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and New York City Metro areas. High levels of Ozone are expected in the Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and New York City Metro areas on Tuesday, June 26.
Air Quality Action Days are days when air quality is predicted to be in the unhealthy range for sensitive groups.
For information on Air Quality Action Days and what you can do to avoid air pollution effects, please visit the Clean Air NY The preceding external link opens a new browser window Web site.
For more information on air quality forecasts, please see the Air Quality Index ForecastThe preceding external link opens a new browser window for New York State at the Department of Environmental Conservation's Web site.
Here is a list of steps to take on Air Quality Action Days:
* Stay Indoors. Air Quality Action Days are a great time to stay indoors to catch up on the television programs you recorded, to play board games with your family or to finish that book you started months ago. This is especially true for people with heart and lung problems, the elderly and children who are more sensitive to air pollution.
* Limit Driving. Here's your excuse for not going to the grocery store or not taking other trips. Those who must travel can still help by limiting driving and engine idling or preferably by not driving their car at all. Share a ride, use transit or work from home.
* Refuel After Dark. This prevents certain pollutants from being emitted into the air that react with sunlight and heat to create ground-level ozone.
* Air Condition Less. Set your home air conditioner at a slightly higher temperature than normal (you can drink cold water to cool down to compensate if it is warm outside). This will conserve energy and cut pollution.
* Slow, Don't Mow. The grass can wait. While it's preferable not to have a gas-powered lawn mower at all, if you do have one, don't use it on Air Quality Action Days.
* Home Improvement Procrastination. Delay use of aerosol consumer products. Painting and spraying add harmful vapors to air indoors and outdoors.
It's a good thing I'm in good health, eh?