Today, summer ozone season officially begins for the Front Range region. At ground level, ozone pollution can be harmful to everyone, especially the young and the elderly.

For the second straight year, the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) and its partners are kicking off the "Summer Chill" campaign to help increase awareness of ground-level ozone by asking residents to "chill" on hot summer days from June 1 through August 31. The campaign asks citizens to avoid everyday activities that can cause ground-level ozone pollution such as driving, mowing the lawn and painting or staining projects.

"This is a critical year for the Front Range region to maintain compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) ozone standard," said Ken Lloyd, executive director of the RAQC. "We are asking everyone to take action to reduce summer ozone pollution to ensure the region is a clean and healthy place in which to live, work and play."

While the region currently is in compliance with the new, stricter ozone standard set by EPA, monitoring data show elevated concentrations in recent years. It is important that the region maintain compliance with the standard this year and in future years. The RAQC has outlined simple steps that can be incorporated into everyday activities and businesses practices.

The RAQC encourages Front Range residents, local governments and area businesses to join this so-called "non-movement" and take voluntary action to reduce ozone pollution in the area. At events throughout the summer and on the campaign's Web site www.OzoneAware.org, residents can take a pledge to chill - a promise to drive less, mow the lawn after 5 p.m. and refuel vehicles in the evenings. The RAQC is aiming to have 4,000 Chill Pledges signed by metro residents by the end of the summer.

These small steps are critical on Ozone Action Alert days. An Ozone Action Alert day is called by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) when weather conditions can lead to unhealthy ground-level ozone concentrations in the metropolitan Denver and Front Range region.

To date, the RAQC's Summer Chill partners include: REI, LODO District, Denver Art Museum, Revolution Cleaners, Cherry Creek North, Elitch Gardens and Bene Gourmet Pizza.

Ground-level ozone pollution is formed when emissions from everyday items combine with other pollutants and "cook" in the heat and sunlight. Sources of such emissions include local industry, gasoline-powered vehicles and lawn equipment, and household paints, stains and solvents. Weather plays a key role in ozone formation. The highest ozone levels are usually recorded in summer months when temperatures approach the high 80s and 90s and when the wind is stagnant or light.

Ozone can trigger attacks and symptoms in people with pre-existing health conditions, such as asthma or other respiratory infections. High levels of ozone pollution often affect healthy people who work or exercise outdoors and can cause breathing difficulties, eye irritation and reduced resistance to lung infections and colds with exposure for prolonged periods.

Ozone-causing emissions come from a wide range of public activities. Some ozone-reduction activities Front Range citizens can do to reduce ground-level ozone include:

• Drive less - walk to lunch if you can and carpool whenever possible.
• "Stop at the click" - do not overfill gas tanks when refueling.
• Keep vehicles regularly maintained.
• Tighten gas caps after refueling.
• Mow in the evening after 5 p.m.
• Refuel in the evening after 5 p.m.
• Use new, earth-friendly lawn equipment.
• Avoid solvent-based products, which have pollution causing vapors - volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Use water-based paint, stain and sealants.

The Voluntary Ozone Reduction Program began in 1999 in response to unusually high ozone levels in the summer of 1998. The RAQC's ozone education campaign - with the theme "Summer Chill" - comprises issuance of Ozone Action Alerts, advertising and community events. In addition, the RAQC posts information on the Summer Chill campaign and the Chill Pledge on the Web site www.OzoneAware.org.

For additional information on ground-level ozone, please visit this site or the RAQC's Web site at www.raqc.org or call (303) 629-5450.

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