POSTERS: Local governments get the message out on ozone pollution

Look for these posters in local government offices for some helpful tips to reduce summer ozone pollution both on ozone alert days and every day.

Download them here, print them out and hang them up in your office or at home!
Do your part to help reduce ground-level ozone.

Download ozone_alert_posters.pdf

 

Comments

[Mark]

These posters are a nice idea, but I wish you would consider a message about reducing power use on high ozone days (or in general). Power plants are fully half the problem. Although they don't produce a ton of VOC's, they make up so much of the Nitrogen Oxides that they far outpace the open paint can in a person's garage. Depending on which government stats you look at, power plants are responsible for 33-45% of NOx emissions. Those emissions combine with the VOC's from our cars to make our ozone mess. Ozone pollution is not just from driving and paint. Everyone with an inefficient air conditioner, those who leave lights on or use nonefficient bulbs and all of the Denver skyscrapers who leave lights on all night are contributing to the ozone. In addition to stopping at the click and riding a bike, turn off the lights and buy energy star compliant devices, it makes a big impact quickly.

[OZ1]

Thanks for your comments and the good points you make. We agree that power conservation is important in reducing NOx emissions in the area and hope people will join in efforts to reduce their power usage. The Denver region is considered to be a volatile organic compound (VOC) limited area, which means that to reduce ozone it is crucial to focus on reducing VOCs. As you probably know, it is the combination of both NOx and VOCs that combine to produce ozone when they are “cooked” by the sun. Our outreach campaign focuses on simple, everyday actions people can take to reduce VOC emissions in the area, such as "stopping at the click" or refueling after 5 p.m. Industry must do its part too. Over the years, industry has made considerable improvements to reduce emissions and has complied with the regulatory measures put in place by the federal government. All other ozone reduction measures in the area are still voluntary at this time. It is the collective effort of citizens that will help to reduce ozone pollution here in Denver. That includes tips you'll find on www.OzoneAware.org - and reducing power usage to improve our air quality.