Ozone
in the upper atmosphere is a beneficial and protective layer around the
earth, but ground-level ozone is harmful air pollution that threatens
our health, quality of life, and the Tulsa area's economic prosperity.
Ground-level ozone is created when sunlight reacts with volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides( NOX). Reducing
these emissions is necessary to reduce ground-level ozone formation. The Tulsa
area was designated an attainment area for ozone in 1990 after 20
years of non-attainment designation. Only a year later, ozone monitors
in the Tulsa area began again to register exceedances of the ozone standard.
Proactively seeking solutions to avoid a violation of the standard and
returning to non-attainment, the INCOG Air Quality Committee
developed the very first OZONE ALERT! program in the nation! The goal of the program
continues to be to maintain
Tulsa's attainment status for ozone thereby ensuring healthy air for
the community.
The OZONE
ALERT! program takes a voluntary, episodic approach to ozone pollution
reduction. The Oklahoma Department of Environmental
Quality (DEQ), in collaboration with the National Weather Service and
the EPA uses computer modeled predictors to determine when high ozone levels
may occur.
OZONE ALERT! days typically occur from May through September on
those hot summer days with high temperatures, minimal cloud cover and
slight winds. DEQ notifies
INCOG and the Tulsa area kicks into Ozone Action. The Alert!
word is spread through E-Alert! notices, Fax Alerts and various various other communications methods. Governments, businesses,
industries and individuals are urged to take voluntary no or low
cost action to reduce emissions on OZONE ALERT! days.
