Fequently Asked QuestionsOzone Action 

1. What is ozone?
   The ozone layer in the stratosphere high above the earth protects people and the environment from ultraviolet radiation. At ground level, however, ozone can be harmful to plants and animals and can cause or aggravate existing respiratory and other health problems in humans. Ground-level ozone forms when pollutants react with sunlight. When it reaches high levels, ozone is a respiratory irritant.
   
   
2. What is Ozone Action?
   Ozone Action is a voluntary emissions reduction initiative that asks people to do what they can to reduce pollution on the days it counts the most. Southeast Michigan has been taking Ozone Action since 1994. 
   
   
3. Is ozone a health problem?
   At high levels, ground-level ozone is a respiratory irritant and can be especially harmful to vulnerable populations. Vulnerable populations are those with existing respiratory problems, elderly, young, and those who work or exercise strenuously outside.
   
   
4. When is Ozone Action season in Southeast Michigan?
   Ozone formation relies on warm weather conditions. Monitoring occurs during the spring and summer months, from May 1 through September 30.
   
   
5. Who decides that it's an Ozone Action day?
   A meteorology team from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) forecasts Ozone Action days according to a number of factors that include temperature, wind speed/direction, cloud cover, and ultraviolet radiation. 
   
   
6. Do residents in Southeast Michigan know about Ozone Action days?
   Yes, 91 percent recognize the term "Ozone Action day."
   
   
7. How does the public learn about Ozone Action days?
   85% television
   68% radio
   37% newspaper
   14% freeway message sign
   9% friend, relative, or neighbor
   
   
8. Once informed of an Ozone Action day, how many people take action?
   Our survey indicated that 72 percent participated in at least one of the 16 Ozone Action days during the 2002 season; 46 percent participated in all 16 Ozone Action days in 2002.
   
   
9. What are the most popular actions taken?
   87% refrained from refueling
   84% not mowing
   59% not using gas powered equipment
   57% avoided topping off gas tank
   47% not using barbecue grill
   43% drove less
   
   
10. Doesn't industry create most of the pollutants in Southeast Michigan? Why should individuals change their habits?
    Industry is well regulated and has greatly reduced its emissions. People, however, tend to pollute much more freely. Studies show that the combined activities of individuals regularly create nearly 50 percent of the pollutants that cause ground-level ozone.
    
    
11. How can my good habits every day help the air pollution problem?
    Ground-level ozone forms when weather conditions combine with pollutants. Many of these pollutants are caused by the daily activities of individuals.
    
    
12. How much can changing my habits on Ozone Action days really help?
    Individually, our cars, lawn mowers, and refueling habits are not the main causes of pollution. Cumulatively, however, these activities are both responsible for ozone-forming emissions and capable of preventing such pollution.
    
    
13. With all the improvements in emission-reduction technology for industry and gains in automobile emission reduction, why do we still have air quality concerns?
    As Southeast Michigan develops both physically and economically, changes in the region have resulted in increased automobile travel and other emission-generating activities. Plus, the national air quality standard has become more strict.
    
    
14. How many Ozone Action days have we had since 1994?

What can the public do?
Ozone Action days, are a great time to practice good habits you can use every day to improve air quality and help discourage the formation of ground-level ozone.