Area Meets Federal Ozone Standard
On December 9, 2009 the State of Ohio held a public hearing at the Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services’ office to accept public comments on the redesignation request to ask the U.S. EPA to officially recognize the Cincinnati-Hamilton area for meeting the 1997 federal ozone standards for air quality.

 Improve Air Quality this Winter
Summer isn’t the only time when smog and particulate matter (PM) are an issue. Although high levels of smog are typically associated with the summer due to more intense sunlight and warmer temperatures, smog can occur throughout the year.

HCDOES Gives Generously to Children’s Services
HCDOES and the Hamilton County Public Health staff stepped up in a big way to help foster children in Hamilton County this holiday season.

“No Idle Zone” Campaign Launches Successfully
HCDOES has been pleased to offer “No Idle Zone” signs to schools and communities in an effort to promote cleaner, healthier air by encouraging drivers to turn the key and be idle free.

New Sulfur Dioxide Standard Proposed
US EPA is proposing to tighten the sulfur dioxide (SO2) air quality standard with a new 1 hour rule in an effort to protect public health. This new standard will be between 50-100 parts per billion (ppb).

EPA Seeks Tougher Smog Standards
US EPA has proposed a stricter standard for smog-causing pollutants that would replace one adopted by the Bush administration in March 2008. The new rule would replace the ozone standard of 0.075 parts per million to 0.060 to 0.070 parts per million.

 

  


NEWLY HIRED:
HCDOES would like to welcome Lisa Gerde as Environmental Permit Technician. Lisa has been training for the position for several months and officially started January 1st.

Welcome, Lisa!

RETIREMENTS:
After 30 years of employment, Darlene “Dar” Ciampone will be retiring from the position of Administrative Assistant.

Irene Hart will also be retiring, from the position of Environmental Permit Technician, after 30 years of service at HCDOES.

Dar and Irene both began their careers with the county in 1979. Thank you for 3 decades of service. Best of luck and happy retirement to Dar and Irene!

 
 

AQI:
Air Quality Index

CFL:
compact fluorescent light

CISWI:
Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incinerator

PM:
Particulate Matter

ppb:
parts per billion

ppm:
parts per million

SO2:
sulfur dioxide

SOCDC:
Southwest Ohio Clean Diesel Campaign
 
BURN WISE:
Burn Wise is a partnership program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that emphasizes the importance of burning the right wood, the right way, in the right wood-burning appliance to protect your home, health, and the air we breathe. The Burn Wise website provides information for consumers to make informed decisions about what it means to burn wise. State and local agencies will discover ways to improve air quality in their communities through changeout programs and education. Partners will learn about how they can work with EPA to bring cleaner-burning appliances to market.

For more information, visit www.epa.gov/burnwise.
 

The AQMD has free air quality programs and resources available for all ages and groups. Be sure to remind your community groups, schools and libraries that they can request free resources or schedule presentations by calling 513-946-7754.

Visit www.hcdoes.org for resources available online.
 

© 2010 Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services | 250 William Howard Taft Road, Cincinnati, OH 45219
Information on this site is believed to be true and accurate. Hamilton County disclaims any liability for errors or omissions.
External links to other sites are intended to be informational and do not have the endorsement of Hamilton County.

For more information or to subscribe, please e-mail or call 513-946-7754.