|  | Public Health Safety | Environmental Health

Purple Ozone Day Precautions

Air Quality Index (AQI) is a value determined by the level of pollutants in the air each day. Several regulated pollutants -- including carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and ground-level ozone -- are monitored daily by various government bodies. AQI ranges from zero (no pollution) to 500 (hazardous levels of pollution), and is divided into levels of six colors, each indicating a different health risk. A purple ozone day denotes that the air is very unhealthy, with an AQI between 201 and 300. During such days, people need to take precautions to reduce their health risks and to help decrease local air pollution.

  1. Stay Indoors

    • If possible, staying indoors is the best idea on a purple ozone day. Children, the elderly, those who have health conditions such as asthma and cardiovascular disease, and people who spend extensive time outdoors are at high risk for health complications on days with high ozone levels. This is especially important during the hottest hours of the day when ozone levels peak.

    Wait Until Dusk

    • Mow your lawn and put fuel in your car only after 6 p.m. These simple tasks will help limit overall emissions in the air during the mid-day hours when ozone forms easiest. If you have to do any other outdoor activities, waiting until dusk will help limit your exposure to the highest levels of ozone found during the peak hours of sunlight.

    Limit Vehicle Emissions

    • Vehicle emissions contribute to ozone levels, so reducing these levels is crucial, especially on hot, purple ozone days. If you need to leave the house, plan trips carefully to avoid excess use of vehicles. Use public transit, carpool, ride a bike or walk to limit the number of vehicles on the roads. If you must use your automobile, ensure it is well tuned with the tires properly inflated and the wheels aligned. When driving, maintain the speed limit, use cruise control and avoid idling the engine.

    Keep Cool and Hyrdrated

    • Purple ozone days occur during the hottest days of the year. Besides the health and lung complications of ozone exposure, extreme heat can cause severe illness and even death, particularly in children and the elderly. Drink plenty of water and stay in an air-conditioned building. If you do not have air conditioning, contact local organizations to find out if there are any public "cooling centers" you can stay at during the hottest hours of the day. Shopping malls and public libraries are another place to go to stay cool.

Environmental Health - Related Articles