Saturday, July 03, 1999
Sweltering forecast triggers smog alert
BY PHILLIP PINA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
This weekend's sweltering weather forecast has prompted environmental officials to declare a smog alert for Sunday and Monday.
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SMOG TIPS
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To help minimize pollution, the public is asked to:
• Drive less. Automobiles account for 45 percent of the smog produced in the area. Take public transportation as much as possible.
• Postpone lawn maintenance until after 6 p.m. A gasoline-powered lawn mower used for an hour puts out as much pollution as 11 cars used for the same amount of time. Trimmers and chain saws create even more pollution.
To avoid health risks:
• Stay inside in air-conditioning as much as possible. This is especially true for children, older people and those with asthma, breathing problems and lung disease.
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The smog warning was issued for concerns that the predicted heat and humidity expected to move into the Tristate region may bring unhealthy air quality. Temperatures are expected to reach into the mid-90s on the Fourth of July.
The hot, dirty air may last into Tuesday, Harry St. Clair, air monitoring and analysis supervisor for the Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services, said Friday. Any extension of the smog alert will be decided on Monday, he said.
While weekends usually make for less traffic, the holi day season, coupled with several big holiday celebrations planned throughout the region, will have a lot of motorists on highways, Mr. St. Clair said.
According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio, clouds will help keep today's weather from becoming too uncomfortable. But the clouds will be out of the region by Sunday, allowing for the sun and humidity to bake the region, said Myron Padgett, a National Weather Service meteorologist.
Temperatures on those two days will likely reach into the mid-90s. During smog alerts, the Regional Ozone Coalition requeststhat people reduce their number of driving tripsor use public transportation, and avoid refueling during the day. This reduces pollutants that sunlight cooks into smog.
Residents should postpone using gas-powered lawn tools until after 6 p.m. Those tools, especially those powered by two-stroke engines, are among the worst polluters.
And during smoggy conditions, susceptible individuals — children, the elderly and people with asthma and other breathing problems — should keep outside activities to a minimum.
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