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Air Quality in Greater Cincinnati

Smog is a problem in the Greater Cincinnati region bringing with it negative health and economic impacts. Smog is formed when sunlight reacts with pollutants in the air, baking those pollutants and turning them into smog. Smog affects everyone who breathes however; children, the elderly and people with asthma or other respiratory problems are especially at risk. Smog makes it difficult for lungs to absorb oxygen, limiting the body’s ability to breathe. It irritates the lining of the throat and lungs, causing coughing and even choking.

In our area, vehicle emissions create about 44% of the smog produced. Industrial sources such as factories account for about 28%, and consumer sources such as gas-powered lawn equipment, oil-based paints and stains, and boats contribute to about 28%.

The Regional Ozone Coalition

Established in 1994, the Regional Ozone Coalition (ROC) is a voluntary association of local governments, organizations and businesses committed to reducing smog in Boone, Butler, Campbell, Clermont, Hamilton, Kenton and Warren counties. The ROC addresses the smog problem through public and business education, involvement and outreach.

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:

Air Quality	Air Quality Index	Protect Your Health
Good	0-50	No health impacts are expected when air quality is in this range.
Moderate	51-100	Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups	101-150	Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
Unhealthy	151-200	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.
Very Unhealthy (Alert)	201-300	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

What You Can Do

The Regional 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
  
  

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 Sarah Woller at: swoller@oki.org

Fun Facts & Activities for Kids

http://www.epa.gov/kids

http://www.epa.gov/airnow/aqikids/games.html

Online Resources and Materials for Teachers

Smog Tracker Maps — Track smog formation and levels in your area:

USEPA — Learn more about smog from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services

Learn more about Forest Park's Environmental Awareness Program