Partners for Clean Air

A coalition committed to improving air quality through voluntary actions

Clearing the air together

Something's in the Air

It's that brown-yellow haze called smog, and it will take your breath away. Smog is formed when trapped air pollutants cook in the hot summer sun. One of the worst byproducts of summertime smog is the air pollutant ozone.

Don't We Want to Save Ozone?

Ozone exists in both the upper and lower atmosphere. It has good and bad effects on us, depending where it is located. In the upper atmosphere, ozone shields us from the damaging rays of the sun. When ozone is in the air we breathe in the lower atmosphere, it is a health hazard.

How Does Ozone Affect Our Health?

Ozone can cause shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, eye and nose irritation. It can be especially dangerous to the elderly, children, asthmatics, and persons with chronic respiratory ailments.

What is Being Done to Save Our Breath?

Partners for Clean Air is a coalition of regional businesses, transportation organizations, health advocacy groups and local governments committed to cleaning our air. Its goal is to improve overall air quality and public health by advocating voluntary actions in metropolitan Chicago and northwestern Indiana. Partners for Clean Air administers a voluntary ozone reduction program called Ozone Action Days.

What Causes Ozone?

Ozone is formed through a complex chemical reaction involving hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and sunlight. While most people think of industry as the main source of air pollution, approximately half of the hydrocarbons in ozone smog come from actions of ordinary citizens as we drive our cars, maintain our homes, and use a variety of volatile chemicals.

How Can I Protect Myself from Ozone?

Avoid physical exertion between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. whenever air pollution levels are high. This is especially important for children, the elderly, and people with lung and heart diseases. If possible, limit outdoor activities or stay indoors when air pollution levels are high.

What is an Ozone Action Day?

Each day, air quality data is collected from a network of air monitoring stations located throughout the region. When data from these monitors indicate conditions are right for unhealthful levels of ozone, an Ozone Action Day will be declared. On an Ozone Action Day, the public will be asked to avoid ozone-generating activities until the health threat has passed.

How Will We Know When it is an Ozone Action Day?

Various media sources will be notified to report the Ozone Action Day message through regional television, radio, and newspapers. Business, industry and local government Partners will notify their employees on the afternoon prior to an Ozone Action Day. The Air Pollution Hotline, 708-865-6320, which provides daily air pollution readings for the Chicago metropolitan area, will also report Ozone Action Days.

What Are Ozone-Reducing Activities?

Here are some simple voluntary actions we can all take to reduce ozone air pollution:

Top 10 Tips List

1. Limit driving. Defer errands or consider sharing a ride. For short trips, walk or ride a bike. For "Share the Drive" information in northeastern Illinois, call 800-920-RIDE (800-920-7433); in northwestern Indiana, call 219-763-6060.
2. If you must drive, avoid excessive idling and abrupt starts.
3. Take CTA, Metra, or Pace. Ride the bus or train to work, school or shopping. For route information in northeastern Illinois, (all area codes) call 836-7000; in northwestern Indiana call 219-763-6060.
4. Don't refuel your car on an Ozone Action Day. If you must refuel, do so after 7 p.m.
5. Avoid using gasoline-powered equipment such as outboard motors and off-road vehicles.
6. On Ozone Action Days, defer mowing your lawn until late evening or the next day. Also avoid using gasoline-powered garden equipment.
7. Postpone chores that use oil-based paints, solvents or varnishes.
8. If barbecuing, use an electric starter or charcoal chimney instead of charcoal lighter fluid.
9. Limit or postpone chores using consumer products that cause fumes.
10. Conserve energy in your home to reduce energy needs from power plants.

How Can I Join Partners for Clean Air?

Businesses, industries, local governments and other organizations can become Partners for Clean Air by signing the Partners' Pledge and voluntarily taking actions to reduce ozone. You can receive information about joining by calling 800-451-5983.

Citizens can become Partners by responding to Ozone Action Day announcements and by following the Top 10 Tips List.