Ozone Action Day on July 1

SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, announces that Friday, July 1, 2011, is the second Ozone Action day of the year. This is the 18th year of the voluntary program that helps keep Southeast Michigan's air clean.

Expected hot, humid weather, high temperatures, little wind, and little chance of rain will contribute to the high concentrations of ground-level ozone expected tomorrow.

Here are some things Southeast Michigan residents can do to help keep the air clean on Ozone Action days:

• Try not to refuel on Ozone Action days. If you need to refuel on an Ozone Action day, fill up in the evening when the weather is cooler and don’t “top off” the tank.
• Reduce automobile use on Ozone Action days. Plan to carpool, use public transit, walk, or work at home.
• Relax on Ozone Action days. Choose the lawn chair over the lawn mower.

Additional information and tips are available online at www.semcog.org (look for Ozone Action under Hot Topics on the home page) or at 800-66-33-AIR. Residents can also request e-mail notification of Ozone Action days. E-mail ozoneaction@semcog.org and put "Notification" in the subject line.

– Source: SEMCOG, a regional planning partnership of local governmental units serving 4.8 million people in the seven-county region of Southeast Michigan striving to enhance the region's quality of life.