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Smog is a problem in the Greater Cincinnati area that causes negative health and economic impacts. It affects everyone; however, children, elderly and people with asthma or other respiratory problems are especially at risk. Smog makes it difficult for our lungs to absorb oxygen, limiting our ability to breathe. It causes flu-like symptoms such as irritation of the throat and lungs, which causes coughing and sometimes choking.
Smog Alerts
 When weather conditions indicate possible high smog levels in our area, a Smog Alert is announced through local television, radio and newspapers. The ROC also alerts over 1000 businesses, government agencies, members of the media and interested citizens in the area so that they can inform their employees about the smog alert.
In our area, "smog season" is typically from April until the end of October. During this time, 13 monitors in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area are constantly monitoring the air quality.
The following index is the guide the EPA set for air quality readings:
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Air Quality
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Air Quality Index
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Protect Your Health
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Good
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0-50
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No health impacts are expected when air quality is in this range.
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Moderate
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51-100
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Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion.
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Unhealthy for
Sensitive Groups
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101-150
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Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
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Unhealthy
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151-200
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Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
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Very
Unhealthy
(Alert)
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201-300
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Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid all outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit outdoor exertion.
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What You Can Do
The Regional Ozone Coalition hopes that every resident in the seven county area will make some small change in his or her daily habits on Smog Alert days to reduce smog formation. YOUR ACTIONS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE AIR QUALITY OF OUR REGION!
These voluntary actions could include:
- Taking the bus (call METRO at 513-621-4455 or TANK at 859-331-8265)
- Carpooling or vanpooling (call RideShare at 241-RIDE)
- Riding a bike or rollerblading instead of driving
- Using gasoline powered lawn equipment after 6 p.m.
- Keeping your vehicle maintained
- Combining trips or eliminating unnecessary vehicle trips
- Refuel your vehicle after 6 p.m. and don't top off
- Avoid using oil-based paints and stains
- Save electricity
- Spread the word
Number of Smog Alert Days in the OKI Region
| 2000 |
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2 days |
| 2001 |
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9 days |
| 2002 |
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18 days |
| 2003 |
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2 days |
Resources and Information Available to You
The Regional Ozone Coalition has several different types of materials available to you. If you would like more information, please call the Regional Ozone Coalition at 1-800-621-SMOG or contact Summer Jones at sjones@oki.org.
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Smog =
pollutants in the air baked with sunlight.
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