Looming heat wave could result in poor air quality

 

July 9, 2007 – Summer arrives in full force this week. Beginning tomorrow and continuing through Thursday, high temperatures in the Puget Sound area are predicted to be in the low to mid 90s. A pool of hot air moving up from the desert southwest will not only raise temperatures locally, but may also result in air quality degradation. Some communities could experience air quality in the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” category.

So, it’s time to think about ways you can help spare the air this week. Things that you can do to make a difference include:

** Driving your most fuel-efficient car, and combining errands into one trip.

** Refueling vehicles in the cooler evening hours.

** Skipping gasoline-powered yard work.

** Carpooling or riding the bus to work, events and outings.

Little steps each of us takes now can make a difference and help protect the air we all breathe. And these steps could also help us avoid calling a Smog Watch later in the week.

 

For more information:

Mike Schultz, 206.689.4060
Alice Collingwood, 206.689.4043

 

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency is an air quality management agency serving King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties. Created as a result of the 1967 Washington Clean Air Act, the agency protects public health and improves air quality by adopting and enforcing air quality regulations, educating individuals and businesses about clean-air choices and sponsoring voluntary initiatives to improve air quality.