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From Sue Stetler, SEMCOG Communications Director • e-mail • 313-961-4266 SEMCOG News Release

For immediate release
August 1, 2007

 Contact: Iris Steinberg
313-961-4266

SEMCOG declares Thursday, August 2, 2007 the second
Ozone Action day in a row

SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, announces that Thursday, August 2, 2007, is an Ozone Action day. This is the third Ozone Action day called this summer.

We will continue to experience hot, humid weather, with high temperatures, little wind and little chance of rain. These conditions enable ground-level ozone to remain high.

Here are some things Southeast Michigan residents can do to help keep the air clean on Ozone Action days this season:

  • Refuel when it’s cool. Wait until evening when the temperature drops. Don’t top off your tank, stop at the click.
  • Reduce automobile use whenever possible. Combine your errands into one trip — stop once at a shopping center or mega store where you can do all your errands at one place.
  • Avoid using gas-powered lawn equipment on Ozone Action days. Save yard work for when the weather is cooler.
  • Steer clear of idling. Avoid lines at drive-thru restaurants, pharmacies, or banks.

Additional information and tips are available online at www.semcog.org or at 800-66-33-AIR. Residents can also request e-mail notification of Ozone Action days. E-mail ozoneaction@semcog.org and put "Notification" in the subject line.

What is the difference between Ozone Action days that deal with high levels of ground-level ozone and global warming that we hear so much about? Stratospheric ozone (in the upper atmosphere) is known as the ozone layer and protects our health by shielding us from the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays. It is this layer that is compromised by global warming. However, ground-level ozone (tropospheric ozone) is a pollutant, the result of warm, humid weather like we're now experiencing. An easy way to remember is, good up high, bad near by.

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SEMCOG is a regional planning partnership of governmental units serving 4.9 million people in the seven-county region of Southeast Michigan striving to enhance the region's quality of life.


Southeast Michigan Council of Governments
535 Griswold Street, Suite 300 Detroit, MI 48226-3602
313-961-4266 - Fax 313-961-4869
www.semcog.org