By Bill Novak
August 1, 2005
Tuesday will be another Clean Air Action Day in Madison, the fourth
and probably the worst "breathing" day the torrid summer has produced
so far.
"If people think it's hot and sticky today, wait until tomorrow,"
said Clean Air Coalition project coordinator Dave Merritt.
Ozone readings were already going up today as the temperatures and
humidity climbed.
"We have a southern breeze which is bringing pollutants up from
Illinois, so that's another reason why we called for the action day
for Tuesday," Merritt said. "We are ramping up for it."
Because of the Clean Air Action Day, bus rides on the Madison Metro
system will be free on Tuesday.
Residents are urged to curtail using outdoor power equipment, drive
less and fill gas tanks at night, so the hot sun has fewer pollutants to bake. The interaction of sun and pollution causes ground-level ozone and ill effects on people who have breathing problems.
Merritt said Department of Natural Resources officials declared the
Clean Air Action Day on Tuesday in Madison after issuing an air
quality health advisory for Tuesday for southeast Wisconsin.
Clean Air Action Days are declared when the hot windless days
basically hold pollutants over an area, allowing the dirty air to
bake and cause ozone, which results in coughing and wheezing for
people with breathing problems such as asthma, and also for children
and older adults.
Even though this is the fourth Clean Air Action Day of the summer in
Madison, ozone levels have not yet reached the unhealthy level of 85
parts per billion. That could change tomorrow.
"Tuesday could be the first time we reach it," Merritt said.
The three action days earlier this summer were on June 27 and July 11-12.
The DNR's daily air hotline gives c urrent air quality readings across the state. The toll free number is 866-324-5924.
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/index.php?ntid=48983&ntpid=3
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