Smog Season Begins
by Veronica Smith, Public Relations Intern, Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services

When the warmer weather approaches, it brings many of nature’s beauties to the forefront. From flowers to radiant thunderstorms, we experience some of the most precious occurrences our planet has to offer. However with this beauty also comes damaging UV rays, smog and allergies. In anticipation of these events, the Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services (HCDOES) launched its annual Smog Season program on April 1. The program, which runs through October 31, monitors the level of ground-level ozone and Particulate Matter (PM) in the four-county region.

Ground-level ozone is a pollutant which chemically reacts with sunlight to produce smog, a serious condition which poses serious health risks and threatens local air quality. Particulate Matter is dust, soot, ash and other solids and aerosols which come from a variety of sources. PM can penetrate into sensitive regions of the respiratory tract and even transfer into the bloodstream. Smaller particles can cause persistent cough, phlegm, wheezing and physical discomfort. In conjunction with other area environmental experts, HCDOES uses the ground-level ozone and PM data it collects through monitoring, along with temperature data and weather conditions provided by meteorologists, to determine when to issue Smog Alerts.

These Smog Alerts help residents in Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren Counties and Boone, Kenton, Campbell Counties in Northern Kentucky protect themselves against the health risks associated with smog, and reminds them to reduce their impact on ground-level ozone and PM levels.

By keeping tuned into the news and weather reports and staying aware of the Smog Alert warnings this season, you can protect yourself and others against the many health risks associated with ground-level ozone and PM. These risks include the potential to alter the body's defense systems against foreign materials, damage lung tissues, aggravate existing respiratory and cardiovascular disease, and can even lead to cancer and premature death. Some of the health risks associated with smog include:

• Irritation of airways, causing coughing, sore throat, difficulty breathing and shortness of breath.

• Increased asthma attacks and use of asthma medication.

• Increased difficulty for people working or playing outside to breathe as deeply and vigorously as normal.

• Increased susceptibility to respiratory infection.

• Aggravation of chronic lung diseases such as emphysema and bronchitis.

• Inflammation and damage to the lining of the lung.

• Permanent changes in the lung, leading to long-term health effects and a lower quality of life.

• Low-grade pulmonary inflammation, a condition which accelerates the development of atherosclerosis –a leading cause of heart disease - and alters heart function.

• Ischemic heart disease, which causes heart attacks, as well as irregular heart rhythms, heart failure and cardiac arrest.

• An increased risk of death from heart disease—as much as 18% with prolonged exposure to PM.

To help combat ground-level ozone and PM and reduce the number of Smog Alert days, residents should take measures to reduce the level of air pollution, one of the main contributors to smog. The following tips can help you cut back on air pollution and reduce the amount of Smog Alerts issued this season:

• Maintain your vehicle—make sure tires are properly inflated and schedule regular oil changes.

• Don’t idle your vehicle—idling wastes gas and pollutes the air.

• Turn off the car—avoid drive thru lines and driving situations that require idling.

• Conserve energy—turn off lights and computers.

• Refuel after sunset

• Don’t top-off at the pump.

• Tighten your gas cap.

• Avoid using gas-powered lawn equipment.

• Rideshare, combine trips and eliminate unnecessary trips.

• Walk to your destination or ride a bike. This is a great way to exercise and save money!

• Avoid driving during your lunch break.

By doing your share to reduce air pollution and staying aware of the air quality monitoring information offered by HCDOES, you can make 2010’s Smog Season a safer and healthier one. To learn more about ground-level ozone, PM and smog, or view current AQI levels in Southwest Ohio, visit www.hcdoes.org or call the AQI Hotline at 513-946-7753.