A little less goes a long way…
§ Reduce the vehicle miles you travel in automobiles. Carpool, use public transportation, bike, or walk whenever possible. This link will direct you to the page that contains local bus routes and schedules.
§ Combine errands and reduce the number trips.
§ Avoid topping off your tank.
§ Be careful not to spill fuel and always tighten the gas cap securely.
§ Keep car, boat, and other engines tuned up according to manufacturers’ specifications.
§ Avoid using small gas powered engines such as lawn mowers and leaf blowers during ozone alert days.
§ Be sure automobile tires are properly inflated.
§ Limit engine idling. Turn your engine off while waiting at drive-up windows.
§ Use low-VOC or water-based paints whenever possible.
§ Follow manufacturers’ guidelines for use and storage of products made with solvents.
§ Avoid burning when possible and always comply with local burning ordinances.
Health Effects
Breathing ozone can trigger a variety of health problems including chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, and congestion. It can worsen bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma. Ground-level ozone also can reduce lung function and inflame the linings of the lungs. Repeated exposure may permanently scar lung tissue.
People with lung disease, children, older adults, and people who are active can be affected when ozone levels are unhealthy. Numerous scientific studies have linked ground-level ozone exposure to a variety of problems, including:
The Problem
In the summer of 2008, the Treasure Valley came dangerously close to being in non-attainment for Federal Ozone compliance levels. If the Valley reaches non-attainment for Ozone levels, not only would our populace experience impacts to public health, our local economy would be severely impacted.
Ozone is a gas that forms in the atmosphere when three atoms of oxygen are combined. It is not emitted directly into the air, but is created at ground level by a chemical reaction between oxides of nitrogen, and volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight. Ozone has the same chemical structure whether it occurs high above the earth or at ground level and can be “good” or “bad,” depending on its location in the atmosphere.
Ozone occurs in two layers of the atmosphere. The layer surrounding the earth’s surface is the troposphere. Ground level or “bad” ozone is an air pollutant that damages human health, vegetation, and many common materials. It is a key ingredient of urban smog. The troposphere extends to a level about 10 miles up, where it meets the second layer, the stratosphere. The stratospheric, or “good” ozone layer, extends upward from about 10 to 30 miles and protects life on earth from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.
Ozone in the Treasure Valley
During the summer of 2008, the Feds lowered the standard for Ozone levels. As a result the Treasure Valley came dangerously close to noncompliance with these standards.
What does this mean? How does it affect me? What is being done about it?
The reduction in the Ozone standard makes it harder for the Treasure Valley to comply. We have seen a steady rise in Ozone levels in the valley. This is due mostly to the growth the valley has experienced over the last 10-15 years. One of the main causes of the creation of Ozone is exhaust emissions from vehicles; gas powered tools and industry emissions.
If the Treasure Valley Air shed reaches non-attainment for Ozone levels the consequences can be catastrophic. Federal requirements will require business and industry to invest large amounts of funds in emission mitigation technologies. Businesses looking at the Treasure Valley as a growth opportunity will be looking elsewhere for less expensive operating environments. This will lead to increased unemployment as well as in increase in the cost of living for all of our citizens.
Most of the efforts thus far are reliant on voluntary measures by business, industry and citizens. The Valley is already required to institute vehicle emission testing and residents of Canyon County will be experiencing this reality in the very near future. A network is being created to increase communication of local DEQ Ozone alerts. Local media have taken on a project to inform the citizenry of the problem and disseminate information on how everyone can adjust behaviors to lower Ozone causing emissions.
Some simple measures, if undertaken by the valley’s citizens, can go along way toward helping the valley maintain compliance with Federal Ozone standards. Citizens, as they see DEQ yellow and red alerts, can voluntarily reduce their emissions by: reducing the number of vehicle miles being driven during these times; delay utilizing gas powered lawn mowers, leaf blowers, etc., and turning vehicles off instead of idling at drive up windows.
We as your elected officials in the Treasure Valley hope that everyone can get involved over the summer by reducing Ozone causing gasses.
Treasure Valley Partnership
Stay tuned for Treasure Valley air quality alerts!
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.