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In the Earth's lower
atmosphere, near ground level, ozone is a harmful air pollutant also
known as "smog." Ground-level ozone is formed when nitrogen oxides and
volatile organic compounds (gases emitted by cars, power plants,
industrial plants, gasoline dispensing facilities, painting operations,
and natural sources) react chemically in the presence of sunlight.
Ground-level ozone builds up during the day, especially during warm
weather, and drops off at night.
The amount of ground
level ozone in the air is measured in parts per billon or ppb.
Monitors around the state measure ozone. EPA established
the
Air Quality Index (AQI) for reporting daily air quality.
Ozone is one of the AQI measurements.
Areas of Florida may
experience a few days each year when ozone levels are high enough to
affect the health of sensitive persons. On such days, the AQI may reach
the "yellow" or "orange" range and some people may experience coughing,
throat irritation, and breathing discomfort. Look for the Air Quality
Index report in your local media or view the AQI report online on our
Air Quality Monitoring page.
Many everyday activities produce emissions that contribute to ozone
formation. You can help reduce these emissions.
How you
can help keep our air clean
Ozone Reports and Data
Steps You
Can Take to Help Keep Our Air Clean
-
Conserve
energy-at home, at work, everywhere.
-
Conserve
electricity and set your air conditioner at a higher
temperature.
-
Follow gasoline
refueling instructions for efficient vapor recovery. Be careful
not to spill fuel and always tighten your gas cap securely.
-
Choose a cleaner
commute-share a ride to work or use public transportation.
Bicycle or walk to errands when possible.
-
Keep car, boat,
and other engines tuned up according to manufacturers'
specification.
-
Defer use of
gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment until the cool of the
day.
-
Be sure your car
tires are properly inflated.
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Refuel cars and
trucks after dusk.
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Carpool, use
public transportation, bike, or walk whenever possible.
-
Combine errands
and reduce trips.
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Use
environmentally safe paints and cleaning products whenever
possible.
-
Limit engine
idling.
-
Some products
that you use at your home or office are made with smog-forming
chemicals that can evaporate into the air when you use them.
Follow manufacturers' recommendations for use and properly seal
cleaners, paints, and other chemicals to prevent evaporation
into the air.
-
Use household,
workshop, and garden chemicals in ways that keep evaporation to
a minimum, or try to delay using them when poor air quality is
forecast.
-
More Clean Air tips
-
For more
information on Florida's Air Quality, please visit the
Clean Air
Florida Web Site
return to
Central District home
Contact
List- Air Resources Management Staff
Central
District Office
Air Resources Management Program
3319 Maguire
Blvd, Suite 232
Orlando,
Florida 32803-3767
Air phone:
407-897-2928
Air fax: 850
412-0455
If you have technical problems with the functioning of this web site,
please e-mail
our webmaster.
2012 State of Florida