News

Contact: CATA Clean Commute Options
517.393.7433
cleancommute@cata.org

Tomorrow, June 28, 2012 has been declared an Air Quality Action Day for Ingham, Eaton and Clinton Counties, according to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. An Air Quality Action Day alert means that, in addition to high heat and humidity forecasts, the Greater Lansing community may experience unhealthy air quality levels due to increased ground-level ozone concentrations. Those most affected by Air Quality Action Days include children, individuals with asthma or other breathing problems, and people who are active outdoors.
People with asthma or other respiratory illness may experience difficulty breathing and should especially avoid heavy exertion outdoors to prevent breathing problems. Even those without health issues may be affected and should take measures to help improve air quality by observing the following activities on Air Quality Action Days and every day:

• Choose an alternative commute such as riding the bus, carpooling, vanpooling, biking, or walking.
• Wait to fuel your vehicle until after 5:00PM, or when it is cooler in the day.
• Avoid topping off your gas tank.
• Reduce vehicle idling.
• Combine errands or trip chain.
• Avoid mowing your lawn on days when Air Quality Action Alerts are issued.
• Telecommute or work a compressed schedule when possible.

For more information about Ozone Action announcements and what you can do to help improve air quality, visit www.cleancommute.org. You can also call (517) 393-7433 or e-mail cleancommute@cata.org. Air quality information and data is available via www.deqmiair.org.
Please see the suggested announcement below. Thank you for doing your part to contribute to cleaner air and a cleaner community.

Air Quality Alerts:
Today/Tomorrow will be a code orange air quality day for the tri-county area. The warmer weather is expected to cause pollution emissions that reach unhealthy levels. Children, the elderly, those with asthma or respiratory illness, and adults who are active outdoors should avoid heavy exertion outdoors and possibly seek air conditioned areas.  

Residents are asked to choose to ride the bus, carpool, bike, or walk, wait to mow their lawns another day, fill up their gas tank after 5:00PM, reduce engine idling and combine their trips to help reduce the unhealthy impacts on our air quality. For more information call the CATA Clean Commute Options office at (517) 393-7433.