REGIONAL (KRON) — The Air District has issued the fifth consecutive Spare the Air Smog Alert and Smoke Advisory for Friday, July 29, 2016.
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is issued its thirteenth Spare the Air Alert for smog in 2016.
Air quality is forecast to be unhealthy, again, on Friday, July 29. A strong high pressure system continues over California and is expected to bring hot temperatures inland and light winds. These conditions combined with motor vehicle exhaust from traffic will generate unhealthy ozone accumulation in the region. The high pressure system is expected to weaken this weekend but the region may still see smoke impacts from the wildfire in Monterey County.
“A string of Spare the Alerts is a reminder that we need to re-think how we commute to and from work,” said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the Air District. “Traffic congestion from so many solo drivers is a major contributor to smog here in the Bay Area and it’s a problem we have the power to change.”
The single most effective way for residents to reduce smog is to drive less or drive electric vehicles that do not produce air pollution. Air District survey results find that Bay Area employees are more likely to adopt alternatives to driving alone when encouraged to do so by their employer. Bay Area employers with 50 or more full-time employees are now required to offer commuter benefits to their employees. For more information about the Commuter Benefits Program, visit 511.org and click on Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program.
Spare the Air Alerts are issued when ozone pollution is forecast to reach unhealthy levels. Ozone, or smog, can cause throat irritation, congestion, chest pain, trigger asthma, inflame the lining of the lungs and worsen bronchitis and emphysema. Long-term exposure to ozone can reduce lung function. Ozone pollution is particularly harmful for young children, seniors and those with respiratory and heart conditions. When a Spare the Air Alert is issued, outdoor exercise should be done only in the early morning hours when ozone concentrations are lower.
To improve air quality, residents are encouraged to carpool, bike, walk or take transit to work instead of driving alone, not just on Spare the Air days, but every day. The public is encouraged to consider an all-electric vehicle as their next vehicle purchase to help the region reduce the amount of gas powered vehicles that contribute to unhealthy smog. Residents can visit www.stacommutetips.org to find a list of commute programs available where they live and work.
To find out when a Spare the Air Alert is in effect, residents can register for email AirAlerts at www.sparetheair.org, call 1-800-HELP-AIR, download the Spare the Air App or connect with Spare the Air on Facebook or Twitter.