Air Quality
Clean Air and Air Quality
ACOG spearheads public education efforts that help keep the region's air clean. Instrumental in maintaining the region’s compliance with federal air quality standards, ACOG actively promotes private and public sector activities that help “clear the air” while still allowing for economic growth. Citizens, businesses, state and federal agencies and local governments are all equal partners in the program. ACOG’s primary contribution to clean air is to promote the Clean Air Alert Day program, monitor policy issues and manage the Central Oklahoma Clean Cities program.
Summertime (May - September) weather conditions can boost ozone pollution levels for ground level ozone, which is the primary component of smog. Conditions that favor ozone are temperatures between 85 degrees and 95 degrees; intense sunshine with no cloud coverage; and calm winds less than five miles per hour.
During the winter (November - February), carbon monoxide (CO) is the primary wintertime air quality concern. Weather conditions ripe for carbon monoxide pollution include temperatures between 35 degrees and 45 degrees; clear skies; and calm winds less than five miles per hour. Cleaner emissions from newer cars has made CO less of a problem in recent years.
Clean Air Alert Day Program
Established in 1992, the Clean Air Alert Day Program is designed to help citizens and employers take individual responsibility for keeping air pollution levels down. Alert Days are days in which weather conditions are expected to contribute to higher ozone or carbon monoxide pollution levels, possibly forcing Central Oklahoma to exceed federal air quality standards.
A team of meteorologists, environmental professionals and local government officials monitor weather conditions and notify area media the day before weather conditions are expected to be ripe for high pollution levels. The next day is the Clean Air Alert Day, and citizens, businesses and government employees are encouraged to adjust their travel habits for the day.
More information about ACOG's clean air program can be found at www.GetSquare.org