May 11, 2008

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• OLYMPIA OFFICE
• 2940-B Limited Lane NW
• Olympia, WA 98502
• (360) 586-1044 or
  1-800-422-5623 (WA only)
• Fax (360) 491-6308
• info@orcaa.org


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• PORT ANGELES OFFICE
• 116 W. 8th Street, Suite 113
• Port Angeles, WA 98362
• (360) 417-1466


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• RAYMOND OFFICE
• 301 Ocean Ave.
• Raymond, WA 98577
• (360) 789-3652


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• HOURS
• Monday – Friday, 8am – 4:30pm PT

NEWS RELEASE

Wednesday, June 26, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Dan A. Nelson, ORCAA Public Information Officer, Ext. 111

Weather Pattern Leads to Smog Concerns: Residents Asked to Help Protect Air Quality

The high-pressure system over western Washington that pushed temperatures to record levels this week has also created air pollution concerns.

Stagnant weather and high temperatures bring rising air pollution levels, especially smog-producing ozone. Smog develops quickly as the sun bakes the ozone and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in emissions from gas and diesel-powered engines. The strong inversion layer created by the high-pressure system keeps that pollution trapped on the ground where it poses significant health risks.

Because of concerns over degrading air quality, the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) asks residents to take a few simple steps to reduce their contributions to the air pollution problem:

Refuel vehicles in the cooler evening hours to minimize release of fuel vapors.

Don't use gasoline-powered gardening and yard-care equipment.

Carpool, walk or ride the bus to work, events and outings.

Drive your most fuel-efficient car, and combine errands into one trip.

Make sure your car is properly tuned-up and tires are inflated to the correct levels - this increases you car's efficiency.

ORCAA also strongly discourages outdoor burning in the region until conditions improve. Yard waste and land clearing burns add both VOCs and particulate matter (PM) pollution to the air, contributing to the overall degradation of air quality.

A change in weather will be needed to restore cleaner air quality, but the current weather pattern is expected to remain unchanged until Wednesday, June 28. Check air-quality forecasts and current conditions here. The current and forecasted air-quality conditions are available via the links on the right. To learn about the health effects of air pollution, check out the American Lung Association of Washington's Web site at www.alaw.org.

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The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency protects and enhances air quality for citizens in Thurston, Mason, Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, and Pacific counties by enforcing federal, state and local air quality regulations. If you have questions specific to the topic above, or just general questions about local air quality, contact ORCAA at (360) 586-1044 or 1-800-422-5623, or visit ORCAA's website, www.orcaa.org.