FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 2, 2006
Midlands residents cautioned about ozone conditions
COLUMBIA – Conditions are likely tomorrow for increased ground-level ozone concentrations in the Midlands of South Carolina, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported today. DHEC is forecasting an Orange Ozone Action Day for the following counties:
- Kershaw, Sumter, Richland, Calhoun, Lexington, Newberry and Fairfield
“When ozone levels are elevated, active children and adults as well as people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion,” said Myra Reece, chief of DHEC’s Bureau of Air Quality. “Ground-level ozone is formed when hot, dry, stagnant weather conditions exist. When that happens, emissions from vehicles contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone.”
Reece said ways residents can help limit the formation of ground-level ozone include:
- Carpool
- Stay in at lunch
- Pump gas after 6 p.m.
- Avoid excessive vehicle idling
- SMARTRIDE is free on all Ozone Action Days. (If you have SMARTRIDE in your area, link to: www.scdhec.gov/smartride.)
According to Reece, SmartRide will be offering free rides tomorrow because it is an Ozone Action Day.
“We hope that citizens will take advantage of this opportunity and fill the buses up to capacity,” said Myra Reece, chief of DHEC’s Bureau of Air Quality. “SmartRide provides an excellent opportunity for citizens to help reduce emissions from vehicles by using this commuter service.”
DHEC’s daily forecast for ground-level ozone can be found at www.scdhec.gov/ozone or by calling toll-free (866) 238-4973. To receive the daily ozone forecast via e-mail, you can sign up by visiting https://enviroflash.epa.gov/airnow/subscriber/Subscriber.do?method=start.
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For more information:
Jack Porter – (803) 898-3829
E-mail – porterje@dhec.sc.gov
or
Clair Boatwright – (803) 898-4461
E-mail – boatwrc@dhec.sc.gov