Right now, summer ozone season is in full swing here in Ventura County. Smog season, usually May through October, is when weather conditions are most conducive to ozone production. At ground level, ozone pollution can be harmful to everyone, especially the young and the elderly.
Read on for a few tips to reduce ground-level ozone by decreasing your energy and fuel usage. And, by the way, these tips will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions!
More on smog and ozone levels
High levels of ozone are usually recorded in summer months when temperatures are high and wind is stagnant or light. In Ventura County, this is especially true in the inland areas, such as Simi Valley, Ojai, Piru, and Thousand Oaks. “Awareness is critical during ozone season,” comments Mike Villegas, air pollution control officer. “There is serious health effects associated with high levels of ozone, and the District is committed to informing county residents about what they can do to protect themselves during this time.”
Ground-level ozone pollution is formed when emissions from various activities and products are “cooked” in the heat and sunlight. Some of these activities and products include local industry, motor vehicle use, gasoline-powered equipment such as lawn and construction equipment, and household paints, stains, and solvents. Ozone can trigger attacks and symptoms in people with pre-existing health conditions, such as heart or respiratory diseases. High levels of ozone can also affect healthy people who work or exercise outdoors.
What to do during an ozone health advisory
The District predicts “expected” air pollutant concentrations. These daily forecasts are presented on the District’s website and on Twitter. If ozone levels are high, above 100 on the Air Quality Index, there may be a health concern. Smog sensitive individuals should minimize outdoor activity. People sensitive to the effects of air pollution, including children, older adults, anyone who suffers from heart, lung or respiratory problems, and those who exercise vigorously outdoors, are particularly at risk and should stay indoors and limit outdoor activities when smog levels are high.
Tips to reduce ground-level ozone
• Drive less – walk when you can, group errands, take public transit, and carpool if possible.
• Raise your thermostat to 78 degrees when you are home and 85 degrees when you are away. This is the number one way to conserve energy at home.
• Keep shades closed when the air conditioner is on. Sunny windows account for 40 percent of unwanted heat and can make your air conditioner work two to three times harder.
• Check and clean filters. Cleaning and replacing air conditioning filters monthly allows the system to run more efficiently, using less energy.
• Install ceiling fans. Don’t underestimate the importance of these fans. The use of ceiling fans can mean savings of around 25 percent on cooling costs and make the temperature seem 10 degrees cooler.
• Run appliances with large energy use late in the evening. Use the dishwasher and clothes washer late in the evening. When used in daytime, these appliances produce more heat, causing your air conditioner to work harder.
• Use your microwave. Nothing is more energy efficient for cooking. It used two-thirds less energy than your stove.
• Buy ENERGY STAR certified table lamps and light fixtures, and replace your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.
• Build green. Visit builditsmartvc.org for free advice on how to maximize the energy efficiency of your building project or integrate other “green” building measures into your home. For more tips, visit our website at vcapcd.org. (sources: California Energy Commission, Denver Regional Air Quality Council, US E.P.A., VCAPCD Monitoring & Technical Services Division)
Reprinted in part from the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District July newsletter.
To read the complete text and check out local air quality conditions go to www.vcapcd.org.
Call 805/645-1415 or email barbara@vcapcd.org for a copy of the APCD brochure on air pollution and health.
