AIR QUALITY ACTION DAYS
Local air quality affects how we live and breathe. During the months of May through September, air quality in the Northern Shenandoah Valley may occasionally reach unhealthy levels due to high concentrations of ground level ozone.
Air Quality Action Days are designated for the City of Winchester and Frederick County when ground-level ozone concentrations are forecast to be unhealthy for sensitive groups, or Code Orange on the Air Quality Index. Air Quality Action Day alerts are distributed to the local media. Air quality alerts are also available through the Department of Air Quality.
WHAT TO DO ON ALERT DAYS
To Protect Our Health
Remain indoors in a cool place. The EPA recommends limited outdoor activities as ozone levels rise to unhealthy levels.
To Protect the Environment
Reduce car emissions:
- Take mass transit
- Telecommute
- Carpool
- Combine errands into one trip
- Limit driving
- Bicycle or walk instead
- Refuel when it's cool! (after sunset or after air quality improves)
- Defer lawn gardening chores that use gasoline-powered equipment
- Postpone using oil-based paints
- Postpone using aerosols
- Start charcoal with an electric or chimney-type fire starter instead of lighter fluid
10 SIMPLE STEPS TO CLEANER AIR
- Gas up your vehicle at night
- Keep your automobile maintained
- Reduce your idling while waiting by turning off your engine when possible
- Trip Chain by organizing and combining several errands into one outing
- Avoid lawn mowing on Air Quality Action Days, unless you have an electric mower
- Limit charcoal grill usage on Alert Days
- Carpool
- Don't top off the tank when filling up with gas
- Walk or ride your bike when possible
