A little less goes a long way…
Ozone, along with reactive forms of oxygen such as superoxide, singlet oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, and hypochlorite ions, is naturally produced by white blood cells and other biological systems (such as the roots of marigolds) as a means of destroying foreign bodies. Ozone reacts directly with organic double bonds. Also, when ozone breaks down to dioxygen it gives rise to oxygen free radicals, which are highly reactive and capable of damaging many organic molecules. Ozone has been found to convert cholesterol in the blood stream to plaque (which causes hardening and narrowing of arteries). Moreover, it is believed that the powerful oxidizing properties of ozone may be a contributing factor of inflammation. The cause-and-effect relationship of how the ozone is created in the body and what it does is still under consideration and still subject to various interpretations, since other body chemical processes can trigger some of the same reactions. A team headed by Dr. Paul Wentworth Jr. of the Department of Chemistry at the Scripps Research Institute has shown evidence linking the antibody-catalyzed water-oxidation pathway of the human immune response to the production of ozone. In this system, ozone is produced by antibody-catalyzed production of trioxidane from water and neutrophil-produced singlet oxygen.
Boise Valley business owners can attend a workshop to learn what they can do to reduce VOC emissions that can create ozone air pollution problems. The free workshop called “Reducing Your Emissions” is Thursday, July 16, 7:00 p.m., at the new West Boise Library (7557 W. Ustick Road).
Joan Meitl of the Idaho Small Business Development Center will discuss technologies, materials, process changes, and other best management practices to help small- and medium-sized businesses reduce or eliminate harmful emissions that contribute to the creation of ozone.
“From using environmentally friendly paints to the proper disposal of harmful materials, government and businesses alike can do their part to maintain the Treasure Valley’s quality of life and secure a livable future,” Mayor David Bieter said.
While businesses of all types will find this information useful, it will be of special interest to businesses that use solvents or solvent-based cleaners:
The workshop – hosted by the City of Boise in partnership with the Idaho Small Business Development Center and the Department of Environmental Quality – is FREE and open to the public. Please RSVP to Aimee Hughes at 388-4703 or ahughes@cityofboise.org
The U.S. EPA has put together a handy guide called “Healthy Air.”
Healthy Air: A Community and Business Leaders Guide is a collection of information sheets about ways communities can work together to improve their air quality. It is designed to be used by community groups and their business partners as a planning guide. The guide contains:
Community groups and business operations that may be looking for ways to reduce toxic air pollution can use the information sheets to consider making specific changes. Businesses and consumers who make changes, such as using different processes or materials, can make significant improvements in local air quality. Many of these changes can also improve efficiency, cut costs, and save money.
The following is the link to this website: http://www.epa.gov/air/toxicair/community/guide.html
The following is a short listing of business operations that can be contributors to ozone creation. Each link provides some hints on how businesses may reduce their creation of ozone causing emissions.
Auto Body Shops (PDF) (3pp, 268k)
Dry Cleaning Operations (PDF) (3 pp, 263k)
Electroplating Operations (PDF) (3pp, 287k)
Fiberglass Fabrication Operations (PDF) (3pp, 266k)
Hospitality Industry (Lodging Sector) (PDF) (3pp, 270k)
Hospitals (PDF) (3pp, 254k)
Metal Operations (PDF) (3pp, 301k)
Nail Salons (PDF) (2pp, 124k)
Paint and Coating Manufacturing (PDF) (3pp, 257k)
Paint and Coating Stripping Operations (PDF) (3pp, 272k)
Painting and Coating Operations (PDF) (3pp, 263k)
Residential Wood Burning (PDF) (3pp, 270k)
Wood Furniture Operations (PDF) (3pp, 259k)
Reference: U.S. Department of Environmental Quality Website.
DEQ
Wilder is a small town but we will do what we can to help eliminate the Ozone problem.
We have put up no idle signs in our public buildings, We also have a new no burning ordinance which says no open burning during June, July and August.
We are attempting to keep our driving down for city employees and have purchased an electric golf cart for summer month usage.
These are a few things we as a small town can do….John Bechtel, Wilder Mayor
CITY OF EAGLE PARTNERS TO EDUCATE BUSINESSES ON WAYS TO REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL EMISSIONS
The City of Eagle and Department of Environmental Quality are co-hosting a small business workshop called “Reducing Your Emissions.” This free workshop will be held Tuesday, July 7, at 7:00 p.m., at Eagle City Hall. (660 E. Civic Lane)
Facilitator Joan Meitl of the Idaho Small Business Development Center will discuss new technologies; materials, process changes, and other best practices that can help small-and medium-sized businesses reduce or eliminate harmful emissions, which contribute to the creation of ozone.
While businesses of all types will find this information useful, it will be of special interest to businesses such as paint shops, dry cleaners, auto body shops, machine fabrication and finishing enterprises, printers and publishers, electronics firms, and other entities that use solvents or solvent-based cleaners.
The Treasure Valley Partnership, in association with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, says, “A little less goes a long way in protecting Idaho’s air quality”,
If everyone drove just 10% less, it would significantly reduce harmful air pollution and help keep the Treasure Valley under the standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Reducing other activities like painting or mowing your lawn on poor air quality days also helps to improve the air we breathe. Exceeding the standards put forth by the EPA can result in increased restrictions and control which impacts economic growth. It’s our goal to encourage everyone to do their part… we’ll all breathe a lot easier.
Eagle Mayor, Phil Bandy, is concerned about air quality in the Treasure Valley and is doing what he can to address the issues as a member of the Ada County Air Quality Board, the Treasure Valley Partnership (TVP), and the TVP Ozone Subcommittee.
If you have any further questions, PLEASE do not hesitate to contact City Hall at 939- 6813.
• Boise maintains a position to assist with air quality issues at city facilities and in the community.
• Practice burns are carried out at the training facility only on days that have an acceptable low level of air pollution.
• The daily Air Quality Index is distributed to internal personnel in the Fire Department, Code Enforcement, the Mayor’s Office, and administrative personnel who respond to calls from the public.
• City of Boise has offered an extensive alternative transportation program for employees since 2002 that includes bus passes, and incentives for walking and biking to work. A summary of the program is provided at:
• The Mayor has directed that biofuels are to be used in city vehicles to the greatest extent possible.
• The City bought the real time fine particulate monitor that provides data for the daily AQI in the Treasure Valley.
• The City bought a meteorological tower that was necessary to provided data for modeling the air flows in the Boise River Valley
• The City provided funding to continue the ozone public awareness campaign in the summer of 2008
• The City posts Clean Air Zone anti-idling signs at Boise City public facilities, such as parks, libraries, and fire stations.
• The City was the first city in Idaho to sign on to the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. This program takes steps to reduce emmissi0ons and take measures such as energy-efficient building practices, alternative fuels and improved transportation and land-use planning.
• The City provides air quality presentations for K-12 classrooms and for community groups.
• Emissions of air pollutants from city facilities are analyzed and reviewed as needed.
• City fleet manager is working to reduce City vehicle fuel consumption. Relevant policies cover; replacement of fleet vehicles with fuel efficient/low emission vehicles , idling time limitations and maintenance schedules.
• The City has an Open Burning Ordinance
• Air quality and sustainability are considered in Boise’s planning activities. The Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code are being updated to include air quality considerations.
• Boise City supports the TVCCC by coordinating its activities to expand the availability and use of alternative fuels in our community.
• Boise City financially supports the operation of the regional bus system.
• Methane gas created in the process of cleaning waste water is being used to power boilers and fuel space heaters at the WWTPs.
• PSAs that remind citizens about the wood burning ban ordinance and other winter emission issues are run every winter.
• Wood burning bans are called when the daily AQI is 74 or greater. City’s Code Enforcement group investigates ban violations and issues citations.
• Electric vehicle owners can purchase an annual permit that allows free parking in City metered parking spaces.
• Employee incentive for employees who utilize Commuter Ride Van Pools.
• Employee incentive for employees who utilize the inter-county Valley Ride Bus Service.
• Free local bus passes for employees
• Bike Racks on the Courthouse complex.
• MyRide computerized employee carpool system
• Use of hybrid vehicles in the county fleet.
• Use of E-85 and other flex fuels in county owned vehicles.
• Promotion of May in Motion, alternative transportation week and prize offerings for employees that participate.
• Vapor-capture system on the new Meridian Fueling Station
• Indoor air plans for county buildings
• Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility safely disposes of aerosols and other harmful airborne chemicals
• Five LEED certified county facilities that establish and maintain good indoor air quality.
• Employee Green Team promotes use of alternative transportation
• No-idling policies in place.
• County purchasing policies encourage purchase of hybrid vehicles.
• Green Building Resolution to ensure new county facilities are built to green building standards.
• Staff Energy Specialist who maintains a structured program to monitor all county energy use and efficiency programs.
• County has instituted a covered loads ordinance.
County has a burning ordinance tied to the AQI Index.
The City of Meridian continues to be proactive in efforts to improve air quality in the Treasure Valley. Through supporting valley-wide initiatives, implementing city policies, evaluating land use applications, and sound practices by City departments and contracted entities, we are doing our part to help the Treasure Valley’s overall air quality and do our part so that as a region we do not fall into non-attainment. The following are actions/items the City has been involved in or is implementing moving forward.
Clean Air Zone Idaho – The City of Meridian recently became a member of the Clean Air Zone Idaho program. This program encourages citizens to avoid idling and “Turn Off Their Engines” while waiting in City parking lots. The City is placing these signs at all City locations including our parks, police and fire stations, water and waste water facilities, and City Hall. This program improves air quality by reducing vehicle emissions.
VPN – The City has instituted a VPN, or virtual private network, that allows city workers to telecommute. The VPN provides remote access to our network, file, and servers through a secure connection, allowing them to perform their work from home or other locations when needed. This has enabled the City to allow telecommuting for certain employees, a policy that reduces the number of days that employees have to commute to the office. This decreases the number of trips each week, and eases congestion on the roadway. Every trip that is eliminated from our roadway improves our overall air quality by eliminating vehicle emissions.
Flexible Work Hours – The City also allows for flexible working hours that reduce the number of days to work a 40 hour week (working 4 10 hours days), or allows the hours to be worked during non-traditional hours (7:00 a.m. to 4::00 p.m.). This allows commute times to change, easing congestion on the roadway during peak hours. Vehicle emissions are eliminated with every trip not taken on our roadways, also improving our overall air quality in the process.
Alternative Transportation Program – The City has implemented an Alternative Transportation Program to encourage employees to reduce the number of single occupancy vehicles on the road. The program includes employees who carpool, vanpool, ride the bus, bike or walk to work. All of these provide opportunities to reduce overall vehicle emissions by having fewer cars on the road.
Carpool – The City of Meridian has created a “find-a-ride” program that allows employees to voluntary look for a carpool opportunity with another City employee. For those employees who may not be able to find a carpool with another employee, the City also promotes the “rideshare” program for carpool opportunities with others in the City of Meridian.
Walk/Bike – The City encourages employees to walk or bike to work. The City Hall will have 22 spaces for employees to park their bikes. In addition the building contains showers and lockers for employees who use these alternative forms of transportation.
Commuteride – As part of its Wellness Fair, the city includes ACHD for those employees who are interested in forming a vanpool.
Bus – Working with Valley Regional Transit, the City is pursuing a bus stop located in downtown Meridian at the new City Hall. This will allow the City to encourage its employees to have another way to commute to work.
Land-Use Policies – As part of its planning process, the City promotes mixed-use development that brings shopping and recreation opportunities within walking distance of homes. The Ten Mile Interchange Specific Area Plan exemplifies this type of compact, mixed-use development that will allow people to live in an area where they don’t necessarily need to get in an automobile to get to work, go shopping, or go to dinner and see a movie. Such compact developments will also provide the necessary density of homes to support bus and transit programs within the Valley. Through smart planning, automobile trips are being reduced along with their emissions.
Pathways – The City of Meridianis promoting transportation alternatives with a Pathways Plan designed for non-motorized usage. For many years, the City has required that developers install segments of our pathway system as subdivisions are built. The City of Meridian Parks & Recreation Commission is currently looking into the purchase and construction of important connecting segments of that pathway system. Sidewalks, paths, and bike lanes directly adjacent to roadways provide a link between pathways or between a pathway and a destination. People who choose to ride or walk rather than drive are typically replacing short automobile trips, which contribute disproportionately high amounts of pollutant emissions. Since bicycling and walking contribute no pollution, require no external energy source, and use land efficiently, they effectively move people from one place to another without adverse environmental impacts.
Dustless Surfaces – The City has long required that all new commercial and industrial uses provide a dustless surface for vehicles to drive on. Recently, the City extended the requirement to temporary uses as well. This is done to reduce the number of airborne particles that could affect the air quality in the Treasure Valley.
Vapor Recovery – Gasoline vapors from fueling stations are major contributors to unhealthy air quality, in a recent review of a proposed gas station, City Council required that the applicant install Stage 1 Vapor Recovery Technology. The City considered adopting a city-wide standard for all fuel facilities as part of their next amendment to their development standards. However, in discussion with DEQ, we will continue the practice of requiring Stage 1 Vapor Recovery Technology while rule-making takes place.
Covered Loads – Acting in conjunction with the Treasure Valley Partnership, the City of Meridian adopted an ordinance requiring that vehicles must cover their load of materials. By preventing materials from blowing out of a vehicle, this decreases the amount of dust or other material that may become airborne.
No Idle Practices – The Police and Fire Departments of Meridian have practices that limit when vehicles may be left idling. By eliminating traditional practices, these new practices will reduce vehicle idling except when essential to the success of a mission or the safety of an individual or animal.
Electric Vehicles – The City of Meridian Police Department will be purchasing the City’s first electric vehicle for use in Downtown Meridian. This vehicle does not emit any vehicle emissions.
Bike Patrols – The City of Meridian Police Department is increasing bike patrols. These patrols reduce vehicles on the road and reduce vehicle emissions that would otherwise be emitted.
Limit Burn Days – The City of Meridian Fire Department does not allow any opening burning or conduct any live-fire training exercises when the Air Quality is yellow or higher.
Radio Read Meters – The City of Meridian’s Public Works Department staff utilizes radio read meter technology and in-vehicle mounted computers to transmit and access information in an effort to reduce trips to and from the field and office. This helps not only to reduce fuel costs, but also emissions.
On-line Business – The City of Meridian is expanding the amount of business that can be conducted with the City on its website. The City recognizes that every transaction that can be done online is a potential trip off the road. Currently the City offers the following services online: filing police reports; public records requests; paying utility bills; filing out job applications; register for parks activities; and reserve park shelters.
Expanded City Services – Reducing miles traveled on roadways also reduces vehicle emissions. The City of Meridian has opened a police kiosk facility in North Meridian at Fire Station Number 5. This allows citizens the option of going to a nearby facility to interact with the Police Department rather than traveling to Meridian Police Department headquarters for certain purposes.
Sanitary Service Company biodiesel – Sanitary Services Co. (SSC) is the solid waste collection contractor for the City of Meridian. In 2002 SSC became the first entity in Idaho to use Biodiesel (B20) in all fleet vehicles (40+). Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have fully completed the health effects testing requirements of the Clean Air Act. The use of biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine results in substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter compared to emissions from diesel fuel. In addition, the exhaust emissions of sulfur oxides and sulfates (major components of acid rain) from biodiesel are essentially eliminated compared to diesel.
Sanitary Services Company transfer station – SSC utilizes a transfer station – an enclosed facility, where it is compacted and later hauled to the landfill. The transfer station enables SSC to make 20 fewer trips to the Ada County landfill (approximately 20 miles from Meridian) per day improving air quality, and lowering traffic congestion.
To help inform the public these television commercials were produced by The Agency Creative Network. Treasure the Valley’s Air is a combined effort between The Department of Environmental Quality, the Treasure Valley Partnership and the Boise Advertising Federation and it’s our goal to show everyone how they can help.
A little less goes a long way in protecting Idaho's air quality. If everyone drove just 10% less it would significantly reduce harmful air pollution and keep the Treasure Valley under the standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Reducing other activities like painting or mowing your lawn on poor air quality days also helps to improve the air we breathe. Exceeding the standards put forth by the EPA can result in increased restrictions and control which impacts economic growth. It's our goal to encourage everyone to do their part... well all breathe a lot easier.