Smog returning to Puget Sound region

Skip gas-powered yard work and minimize driving

 

Jul. 20, 2006 — A Smog Watch has been called by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency for King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties.

We expect a decline in air quality as high pressure with very warm air builds over the area for the next several days with temperatures in the 90s.  The very warm air aloft will create stagnant conditions which trap pollutants and enhance the formation of ozone. We expect elevated ozone and fine particle pollution levels on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

The highest concentrations of ground-level ozone (smog) happen when sunlight "cooks" emissions from motor vehicles, paints, solvents and gasoline vapors. Yet there are things we all can do to help minimize the build up of pollution in the air we breathe by taking some or all of the following actions:

• Carpool or ride the bus to work, events and outings.

• If you must drive, use your most fuel-efficient car, combine errands into one trip and turn off your engine when idling for more than 30 seconds.

• Refuel vehicles in the cooler evening hours, don’t top off your tank, and be careful not to spill any fuel.

• Skip gasoline-powered yard work. Use manual or electric equipment instead.

The Smog Watch is expected to continue at least into Monday. Puget Sound Clean Air Agency staff will monitor weather conditions and pollution levels to determine when it will end. You can also monitor current and forecasted air quality at www.pscleanair.org .

You can also monitor ozone concentrations at eight sites by checking our Ozone Right Now Web page between May and September at www.pscleanair.org/airq/aqiozone.aspx . Ozone levels are typically at their highest between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Click on a particular area to see a 24-hour, 3-day or 5-day Ozone Trend Chart.

Related resources

• Air quality and smog

• Health impacts