Smog Alert Program

Developed from materials by the Regional Ozone Coalition located in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. On high ozone days, this can be a very important program.

Ingredients:

• Local government, business, and industry leaders
• Chamber of commerce and the local council of governments
• Concerned citizens
• Local media
• Local transportation officials (e.g. transit authority)
• A sponsoring organization (e.g. CMAQF in Cincinnati)

Seasonings:

• A shared understanding of the regional nature of air quality issues
• A shared commitment to reduce smog producing activities

Utensils:

• A sponsoring organization (CMAQF in Cincinnati)
• Teamwork - to get all the ingredients to work together

Servings:

• Use research to measure citizen participation
• Good goal for year one: 15 percent of families took some action on smog
  alert days

Instructions:

1. Start with an understanding of the threat that ozone poses to public health and to the environment. Uncover ways to avoid producing the NOx and VOCs that make up ozone.
2. Add a pinch of initiative by business and industry to encourage carpooling, mass transit use, and flextime while educating employees about Smog Alert Days via e-mail, posters, and workshops.
3. Mix into company policies a subsidy of mass transit fares for employees. Whip up enthusiasm for riding mass transit by reducing summer fares.
4. Blend with a generous portion of mass media, including billboards, banners, radio talk shows, and TV coverage by reporters and weathercasters.

Hints from the Chef:

How to help during a smog alert:

• Never top off your gas tank.
• Don't fill up your gas tank until after 6:00 p.m.
• Mow the yard after 6:00 p.m.
• Do any painting after 6:00 p.m.
• Limit your car trips by doing all the errands on one trip.
  
• Carpool or walk to work whenever possible.
• Educate children and others about doing their part.
• Use mass transit.