|
Air Quality Information
Public Information Office
To be proactive in the fight against air pollution and to protect your health, the City of Morganton will work to notify citizens of "Air Quality Action Days" when our air becomes unhealthy because of high ozone levels.
When there is too much ozone in the air it can cause respiratory problems. Since 1996, the N.C. Air Awareness Program has issued advisories about ground-level ozone.
 The City of Morganton monitors the N.C. Air Awareness advisories and then informs residents through CoMPAS Ch. 2 and by alerting local media. If the a Code Orange or higher Action Day is forecasted, viewers watching Ch. 2 will see a screen like the one to the right showing the date of the action day.
Residents can also sign up to receive e-mail alerts at http://daq.state.nc.us/airaware/
During Air Quality Action Days, City staff will be proactive in keeping Morganton's air clean and healthy by taking extra measures to reduce air pollution produced by City vehicles and equipment.
Clean Air Tips
From the NC Division of Air Quality
Leave your car.
Take the bus, car pool, van pool, walk or ride your bike to your destination.
Take your lunch.
Or walk to a nearby restaurant - this reduces the number of vehicles on the road during the daylight hours.
Drive it right.
When you do drive your car, use cruise control whenever practical and stay within the speed limit. Avoid sudden stops and starts, and avoid idling for long periods of time. Plan your trips so that you combine short trips whenever possible.
Do it at dusk.
Postpone refueling your car until after 6 pm. This reduces emissions during peak daylight hours when ozone formation is most likely. Don't "top off" the tank after the pump automatically shuts itself off. This will avoid gasoline spills and unnecessary VOC emissions.
Stay tuned.
Keep your car, boat, and lawn equipment tuned up. Engines that are well-maintained are more fuel efficient and pollute less. Get a tune up a once a year. After all it makes good economic and environmental sense.
Conserve electricity.
During warmer months, Set your thermostat at the highest comfortable temperature (try 78 degrees). When everyone is away or asleep, set the thermostat at a warmer temperature. Use ceiling fans to circulate the cool air. Turn off appliances when not in use. Install compact-flourescent bulbs and energy-efficient appliances.
Cut it out.
Wait until after 6:00 p.m. to cut the grass on Air Quality Action Days. Better yet, try not to mow (using gas-powered equipment) at all on Air Quality Action Days. Use hand-powered or electric lawn care equipment whenever possible. Consider establishing landscaped/natural areas, so you don't have to mow as much.
Know the Code
For your health's sake and for good air quality, make sure you are aware of the daily air quality forecasts. Air quality forecasts are available at the NCDAQ forecast center. Sign up to receive the forecast by e-mail.
Don't Burn Trash or Yard Waste
Open Burning is becoming a real problem in North Carolina. Burning manmade materials, including trash is illegal and dangerous. Burning trash exposes you, your family and your neighbors to toxic air pollution. Open burning also contributes to ozone and particle pollution. Outdoor burning is prohibited in air quality forecast areas on Air Quality Action Days (forecast codes orange, red, or purple). See the NCDAQ Open Burning Site for more information.
|
