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Air Quality Partnership Kicks off 10th Ozone Action Season - DVRPC and EPA Highlight Air Quality and Asthma Warning System

Release Date: 5/10/2005
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith, 215-814-5543

Bonnie Smith, 215-814-5543

PHILADELPHIA – Environmental and health officials from throughout the Delaware Valley kicked of the region’s 10th ozone action season by recognizing regional initiatives to improve air quality. The event was also celebrated Asthma Awareness Month offering educational information about air quality and asthma.

The ozone season runs from May to September. The Air Quality Partnership provides summertime ground-level ozone forecasts and encourages voluntary actions to reduce pollution. Currently, the Delaware Valley does not meet the federal air quality standards for ground-level ozone. In the summer, sunlight and high temperatures ‘bake’ pollutants emitted by motor vehicles, power plants, industrial manufacturing and other sources to form high levels of
ground-level ozone, commonly known as smog.

“To combat this problem, EPA has put in place a series of Clean Air regulations designed to combat not only ozone but particle pollution as well, which will significantly improve air quality and the health of our citizens,” said Donald S. Welsh, EPA’s mid-Atlantic regional administrator.

Today’s event included representatives from the American Lung Association, the City of Philadelphia Health Department, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Asthma Allergy Foundation of America, SEPTA, Philadelphia Allies Against Asthma, Clean Air Council, and EPA. Administered by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, the Air Quality Partnership is a coalition of organizations and businesses helping to inform the public about improving the region’s air quality.

The Air Quality Partnership also forecasts particle pollution – tiny drops of liquid or small particles that float in the air. Particle pollution is most common during winter months and comes from a variety of sources including cars, wood stoves, factories, construction sites, forest fires, and waste incinerators.

For more information about ozone, particle pollution, and the Air Quality Partnership, visit www.airqualitypartnership.org.