An ozone alert is in effect for Friday in Oklahoma City and Tulsa according to the latest announcement by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.
It is the fifth consecutive day for the alert that leaves the air unhealthy for those residents who have breathing problems. The alerts for parts of Oklahoma are not unusual. Other unhealthy air alerts have been issued for Denver, Colorado and Kansas City, Kansas.
That’s Denver.
Of course, the far more serious alerts are still in effect in New York City
and southward to Washington, D.C. because of the smoke billowing from hundreds of out-of-control wildfires in Canada.
The alert applies to those who are considered part of Sensitive Groups. The air is considered especially unhealthy for those who live or work in Tulsa, Wagoner and Rogers Counties of northeast Oklahoma.
An ozone alert means that conditions are favorable for the
buildup of ozone near the ground, to an unhealthy level. The Weather Network explained that when winds are light, the vapors from fuels such as gasoline, exhaust from engines, and air pollutants from industrial activities remain trapped near the ground.
If sunshine is abundant when these air pollutants build up, a chemical process is triggered that results in the development of ozone near the ground during the afternoon and evening hours.
While ozone in the upper levels of the atmosphere is beneficial in
screening the suns radiation, it is harmful near the ground. Ozone
can bother those with respiratory problems and can damage vegetation.
The DEQ and other groups offer suggestions on how to be ready for such alerts.
Postpone any unnecessary driving and car pool if possible.
If you do drive to work, turn the air conditioner in your car off during your morning commute. You can also cut down on
extra driving by bringing your lunch to work. If you must refuel your vehicle, do it in the evening after the sun goes down or
postpone your fueling to another day.
Postpone running the lawn mower and gas trimmer, the exhaust from these small engines contributes a significant amount of pollution to the air. Industrial facilities should reduce pollution emissions as much as possible on ozone alert days.
