United States , "'-. /;."-Office of -Research: and ..".-, Office "of-Environmental-.' EPA/625/R-00/003 ..
Environmental Protection ' Development :_-'. -i ---_ (. Information ; --February 2000 .
Agency . - ,.. Washington, DC 2046p "-Washington, DC 20460 , http:7/www.epa.gov/empact
Repprt of the
DeGember 1 f, 1999
EPA Satellite Forum on Ozone
Monitor!ng, Mapping, and
Public Outreach
Environmental
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EPA/625/R-00/003
February 2000
Report of the December 15,1999
EPA Satellite Forum on
Ozone Monitoring, Mapping,
and Public Outreach
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
National Risk Management Research Laboratory
Office of Research and Development
Cincinnati, Ohio 45268
Printed on Recycled Paper
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NOTICE
The information in this document has been compiled by Eastern Research Group, Inc. (ERG)
under Contract No. 68-D7-0001, Work Assignment No. 2-17, issued by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) to ERG. The document has been reviewed by EPA and approved for
publication. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or
recommendation of their use.
Appendix C is reprinted from T040-99 Study Guide - AQI: Ozone Monitoring, Mapping and
Public Outreach with permission of North Carolina State University.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Development of the December 15, 1999 Satellite Forum on Ozone Mapping, Monitoring, and
Public Outreach was managed by Scott Hedges (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [EPA],
National Risk Management Research Laboratory), with technical guidance from Dennis Doll
(EPA, Education and Outreach Group) and Richard Wayland (EPA, Office of Air Quality,
Planning and Standards). Gratitude is expressed to Karl Coleman and the production crew at
North Carolina State University, to Alison Davis of EPA's Office of Air Quality, Planning and
Standards who moderated the satellite forum, and to each of the presenters for their time and
contributions.
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CONTENTS
Introduction 1-1
Background and Purpose , 2-1
Presentation Summaries 3-1
Summary of Live Question-and-Answer Sessions 4-1
Agenda Appendix A
Satellite Broadcast Viewership AppendixB
Workshop Guide (with Presentation Overheads) Appendix C
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1. INTRODUCTION
This report provides a summary of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's)
December 15,1999 satellite forum on technology transfer tools for ozone monitoring, mapping,
and public outreach.
Chapter 1 provides information about the purpose of the satellite broadcast, along with
background information on the planning and production of the broadcast. Chapter 2 contains
summaries of the presentations made during the satellite forum. Chapter 3 summarizes the live
question-and-answer sessions held during the broadcast. Appendix A contains the agenda for the
broadcast. Appendix B provides information about viewership, and Appendix C contains the
satellite forum Workshop Guide, which was prepared by North Carolina State University. The
Workshop Guide contains the presentation materials prepared by individual speakers.
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2. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created the BMP ACT program in 1997 to
take advantage of new technologies that make it possible to provide environmental information
to the public in near real time. EMPACT is working with 86 metropolitan areas across the
country to help deliver time-relevant environmental information to the general public to help
them understand the condition of their environment and make day-to-day environmental risk
management decisions. A key function of EMPACT is to integrate technical communication
among the 86 EMPACT communities, state agencies, and EPA.
As part of BMPACT's technical communication efforts/one of the EMPACT projects, AirNow,
was discussed in a satellite videoconference broadcast on December 15,1999. The purpose of
AirNow is to provide the public with real-time information about ozone pollution in an easy-to-
understand pictorial format. AirNow is a collaborative effort among EPA, state and local air
quality agencies, and regional organizations to collect, quality assure, and transfer real-time air
quality information to the public.
The videoconference was convened by EPA's Office of Air Quality, Planning and Standards
(OAQPS), in conjunction with and support from the EMPACT program. The December 15
videoconference was the second in a three-part series dealing with AirNow. The first, which was
broadcast on November 10, 1999, focused on the Air Quality Index (AQI). The third, scheduled
for Spring, 2000, will focus on the health effects of ozone. ,
Participants in the satellite forum included representatives of EPA and state and local air quality
agencies. They provided information on several topics, including: the EMPACT program; major
components of AirNow's program to design, implement, and operate an ozone monitoring
network, an automated data transfer system (ADTS), an ozone mapping system (MapGen), and
conduct public outreach; and key sections of the technology transfer handbook and companion
CD-ROM entitled Ozone Monitoring, Mapping, and Public Outreach: Delivering Real-Time
Ozone Information to Your Community. (The complete agenda is included in this report as
Appendix A.)
Target audiences for the satellite forum included managers and decision-makers interested in
implementing ozone programs in their communities or learning about new technologies and new
approaches for disseminating real-time information; technicians responsible for implementing
ozone programs; and communications specialists involved in communicating information to the
public about ozone
The satellite forum was produced by EPA's Air Pollution Distance Learning Network (APDLN),
a digital educational satellite broadcasting network of 127 governmental and university broadcast
affiliates located across the United States. The APDLN is a collaborative partnership between
EPA, State and local air pollution control agencies, and North Carolina State University. The
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broadcast could be viewed at one of the 127 APDLN satellite downlink sites; at another site with
satellite downlink capability using Ku and C band satellite coordinates; or via a live Internet
simulcast.
Efforts were made to publicize the broadcast through the EPA EMPACT steering committee,
EMPACT project leads, participating agencies in the Ozone Mapping Project, and other agencies
and organizations such the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM),
the Mid-Atlantic Regional Air Management Association (MARAMA), STAPPA/ALAPCO, the
Air and Waste Management Association (AWMA), the Ozone Transport Commission (OTC),
and the Local Government Environmental Assistance Network (LGEAN). Special emphasis was
placed on publicizing the broadcast in EMPACT communities not served by an APDLN satellite
downlink facility.
Videocassettes (VHS format) of the December 15 broadcast are available. Individuals in the
public sector (i.e., state, local, and federal agencies) may obtain copies from Dennis Shipman,
U.S. EPA, Office of Air Quality, Planning and. Standards, Education and Outreach Group
(919-541-54770, e-mail: shipman.dennis@epa.gov). There is no fee for copies to the public
sector. Individuals in the private sector may obtain copies from Christine Murphy, Industrial
Extension Service, North Carolina State University (919-515-5874, e- mail:
ChristineJVIurphy@ncsu.edu). The fee is $35.00.
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3. PRESENTATION SUMMARIES
This chapter contains summaries of each of the presentations made during the December 14
satellite broadcast. Appendix C, the Workshop Guide prepared by North Carolina State
University, contains each speaker's presentation overheads.
Environmental Monitoring
Denice Shaw
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development/EMPACT Program
Denice Shaw provided background on EPA's BMP ACT Program. She explained that the
BMP ACT program is a Presidential initiative whose mission is to assist communities to
implement sustainable monitoring that provides current and accurate information to citizens
about their environment. It is operated by a steering committee with members from each of the
EPA regions and program offices and from partner Federal agencies including the U.S.
Geological Survey (USGS) and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA).
The EMPACT Program stresses the need for community ownership of the program, projects, and
data. Monitoring and data management are managed locEilly (with the provisions that are
necessary for secondary access to the data). Data interpretation is the responsibility and privilege
of the community. All projects are executed through community leadership and are based on
sound science.
Ms. Shaw stated that EMPACT serves as a model within EPA for environmental monitoring and
as a catalyst for incorporating new and innovative science.
EMPACT projects monitor parameters that affect human and ecological health. EMPACT
projects include monitoring of air quality (such as AirNow), drinking water, beaches, rivers,
lakes, and streams. EMPACT currently has monitoring projects in 84 cities across the U.S. It also
supports a series of research grants for community-led monitoring in 16 cities. The program also
supports pure research to advance the ability to do real-time monitoring and reporting of
environmental information.
Ms. -Shaw concluded by stating that the EMPACT Program exists to provide communities with
the opportunity to implement new technology, data management solutions, and communication
tools to provide citizens and the public with accurate and timely information about their
environment.
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The Ozone Mapping Project
Chet Wayland
U.S. EPA, Office of Air Quality, Planning and Standards
Mr. Wayland provided background information on the Ozone Mapping Project. He explained
that the project is a collaborative effort among federal, state, and local air quality agencies to
collect, quality assure, and transfer real-time air quality information to the public. He added that
the project is intended to provide the public with fast and easy access to understandable air
quality information that can assist them hi making good health-based decisions abouttheir daily
activities.
He then provided a brief history of the Ozone Mapping Project. The Maryland Department of the
Environment and the Maryland Chapter of the American Lung Association Initiated the concept
of ozone mapping in late 1994, and it was put into operation on a regional basis in the Baltimore-
Washington, D.C. area in 1995. In 1997, ozone mapping was piloted on a regional basis by
Region 1 of the U.S. EPA, covering 14 northeastern states. In 1998, under a grant from the
EMPACT Program, EPA/OAQPS expanded the Ozone Mapping Project and undertook full
implementation of the mapping system in the eastern U.S.
Mr. Wayland then provided an overview of the mapping process and its five primary
components: state and local monitoring networks, the Automated Data Transfer System, the Data
Collection Center, map generation, and outreach:
State and local monitoring networks are the actual monitors in the field that states
maintain to collect ozone data. (Mr. Wayland displayed a map showing the location of
ozone monitors in states that participated hi the Ozone Mapping Project in 1999.)
The Automated Data Transfer System is the system used to transfer data from the
monitors to state host computers and then to EPA's Data Collection Center.
The Data Collection System is the heart of the ozone mapping system. It is where the data
are stored, manipulated, quality assured, and prepared for map generation.
Map Generation. Once the data are quality assured and ready to be gridded and
interpolated, ozone maps are generated. The following types of maps are generated each
day and following each of the seven daily polls: animated maps for that day, and maps
showing the previous day's peak ozone levels (both 1-hour and 8-hoior averages). The
map's colors correspond to the colors associated with the Air Quality Index.
Outreach. The ozone maps are disseminated via EPA's AIRNOW website
(http://www.epa.gov/airnow); via state/local agencies that participate in the Ozone
Mapping project; and via Weather Service Providers (WSPs) who provide the maps to
local television stations for incorporation in weather broadcasts.
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Currently, the ozone mapping project covers 61 EMPACT cities with complete coverage in 29
eastern states and California. Future plans are to extend coverage throughout the contiguous U.S.
EPA will also expand mapping beyond ozone to include other pollutants; real-time mapping of
particulate matter is scheduled for 2001.
Mr. Wayland discussed how the Ozone Mapping Project has been received by the public. He
stated that, between May and September 1999, the AIRNOW website received over 1.2 million
"hits" per month (which is double the number received in 1998). The program has received
numerous positive comments from the public, including daycare providers, asthmatics, outdoor
workers, exercisers, and air awareness program providers. Major successes in 1999 including
getting the Weather Channel and major weather service providers to cover the ozone map.
Additionally, the Ozone Mapping Project received the Government Technology Leadership
Award in 1998.
Mr. Wayland concluded by saying that comments received about the Ozone Mapping Project
have been very helpful, and they will continue to be helpful as the program continues to move
forward.
Data Collection and Transfer for Ozone Mapping
Phil Dickerson
U.S. EPA, Office of Air Quality, Planning and Standards
Mr. Dickerson provided an overview of the Automated Data Transfer System (ADTS). He also
explained how to set up a State Host Computer (SHC) to connect with the EPA Data Collection
Center (DCC) and the ADTS. Finally, he provided troubleshooting tips on using the ADTS.
He began his presentation by providing a brief overview of the regulations, found in 40 CFR 58,
that pertain to ambient air monitoring networks. In 1979, EPA promulgated ambient air
monitoring regulations, which established SLAMS (State and Local Monitoring Stations)
networks (used to demonstrate if an area is meeting national ambient air quality standards
[NAAQS]) and NAMS (National Air Monitoring Stations) networks (used to supply data for
national policy and trend analyses). Then, in 1993, EPA promulgated the PAMS (Photochemical
Assessment Monitoring Stations) rule. PAMS are required to obtain more comprehensive and
representative data about ozone air pollution in ozone nonattainment areas designated as serious,
severe; or extreme. (The ozone mapping system generally makes use of these already installed
monitoring networks.) In July, 1997, EPA promulgated rules that require monitoring for fine
particulate matter.
Mr. Dickerson then discussed the ADTS. He described the ADTS as the "heart" of the DCC. The
ADTS runs on EPA's Valley internal UNIX Server, which is located in Research Triangle Park,
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North Carolina. It is responsible for merging data provided by State Host Computers, QA/QC of
that data, and making calculations such as daily peak values and Air Quality Index (AQI) values.
He then described how data flow within the ADTS. He explained that ozone monitors measure
ground-level ozone concentrations. These data are fed into "data loggers" that record and store
the data. State Host Computers (SHCs) poll the data loggers at specified polling times and ready
the data for delivery to the ADTS. SHCs connect to the DCC before the end of each polling
window and transfer the observations from midnight until the polling hour. The ADTS then
merges all agency data received from the SHCs into a master file. Among other things, the ADTS
runs a QA/QC program on the data, calculates peaks and AQI values, interpolates for single
hours missing. It also generates gridded data for delivery to Weather Service Providers, and then
produces the master observed data (OBS) file. Every participating agency in the Ozone Mapping
System can access the master OBS file, which is a good way for them to check their own data
and see what the data in surrounding areas look like. Once the ozone animations have been
checked by the DCC operations crew, they are posted to the AIRNOW website
(http://www.epa.gov/airnow).
Mr. Dickerson explained the steps involved in setting up a State Host Computer to connect to the
DCC/ADTS is to obtain an EPA user ID and password. He said that he can set these up for new
users or they can be set up by your local EPA Regional Office. He explained that, to convert the
data acquisition platform's format to the Ozone Mapping System format, SHCs must either run
the ESC Ozone Mapping Module or custom software to convert the data from the agency's
acquisition system's format to the ozone mapping system's format. Once the data are in their
proper format, the user ID and password assigned by EPA are used to forward the data to the
DCC via FTP (file transfer protocol). Shortly after the data are delivered to the DCC, it is run
through the ADTS, and then the master OBS file and is available for use in generating ozone
maps.
Mr. Dickerson next provided a number of troubleshooting tips for using the DCC. He said that
EPA security policies mandate that a user has only three tries to log into the DCC. After the third
try, the user's account is locked. He advised that users be careful when experimenting. After two
tries, wait an hour or two before trying again to log on so that you do not immediately encounter
your third unsuccessful log-in attempt and have your account disabled.
He also said that users who have trouble connecting to the DCC should check with their local
firewall/security group to see if their FTP access is restricted. If so, some modifications to your
firewall may be necessary.
He also advised users to troubleshoot in discrete segments. For example, as a first step, check to
see if you are getting your data from the data logger onto the State Host Computer. Next, make
sure the data are getting converted to Ozone Mapping System format. As a third step, make sure
your user ID and password are valid by trying a manual FTP. Next, log into the DCC to see what
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your data look like; make sure it arrived in the proper directory and has the correct format.
Finally, make sure your data look correct in the master OBS file after the QA/QC process.
Mr. Dickerson concluded his presentation by urging people to call EPA if they experience a
problem. With a highly automated system that takes data from nearly 50 users, things can get
overlooked and problems can recur for days on end. Because EPA does not want to miss your
data, call if you have a problem.
Making Ozone Maps
Neil Wheeler
Sonoma Technology, Inc.
Mr. Wheeler provided an overview of the Map Generator (MapGen) software and. its capabilities.
MapGen produces still-frame images, both in the Windows BMP format and in CompuServe GIF
format; animations (BMP and GIF) and gridded ASCII files. He explained that MapGen works
by reading ozone monitoring station data and interpolating them to regular grid locations.
MapGen can use two different interpolation/extrapolation techniques: (1) inverse distance
weighing, where the influence of the station drops off proportional to the distance from the grid
point; or (2) Kriging, which uses a correlation of values to create a model of what values should
be at the regular grid. The gridded data can then be passed on to a contouring routine or written
to a file for later use. The end result are maps that contain color-filled contours that represent
different concentration levels of ozone and their associated health effects.
He then discussed the minimum requirements for operating MapGen. These include: an IBM PC-
compatible computer with a Pentium processor (133 MHz or better); 16 megabytes of RAM; 100
megabytes of free disk space; a super VGA monitor with 24-bit color display; and Windows 95,
98, or NT 4.0.
MapGen can be downloaded from MCNC's web site (http://envpro.ncsc.org/OMS). The
download files can be accessed by anonymous file transfer protocol (ftp) or through a web
browser. The readme.txt file explains how to install the software. The current release of MapGen
on the MCNC web site is approximately two years old. An updated version will be available in
2000.
Mr. Wheeler then described sources of data that can be used to generate maps with MapGen.
Data are available from EPA's Data Collection Center (DCC). In addition, some currently
available polling software packages have an ozone mapping module that converts data to a form
suitable for use with MapGen. In addition, a conversion program (airs2oms) is distributed with
MapGen that reads data in AIRS (Aerometric Information Retrieval System) formats and
generates MapGen-ready files.
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Mr. Wheeler explained that making maps with MapGen is basically a 6-step process: reading the
data; selecting the area you want to map; selecting a variable (e.g., peak or average
concentrations); selecting gridding and other options; adding annotations such as graphics or
text; and finally plotting or animating the map. He then conducted a live demonstration of how to
make a map using MapGen. The demonstration showed how to use MapGen's file, customize,
plot, animate, and help menus.
One of the powerful things about MapGen is its scripting capability. It includes a complete
scripting language (which is documented in the MapGen User's Guide). MapGen also features
sample scripts that can be used with scheduling software to generate maps on a regular basis.
Mr. Wheeler completed his presentation by discussing resources that can be accessed for
troubleshooting MapGen. These include the MapGen User's Guide, which is available from the
MapGen help menu. The User's Guide is also available at http://envpro.ncsc.org/OMS. MCNC
also maintains a "ticket" system, which can be accessed at
http://envpro.ncsc.org/products/ticket.html. This system allows a user to enter a "ticket" with
problems, comments, or suggestions. Users can also review previously entered tickets. The
technology transfer handbook Ozone Monitoring, Mapping, and Public Outreach: Delivering
Real-Time Ozone Information to Your Community, released hi September, 1999, is also a useful
troubleshooting resource. It is available in HTML and PDF formats on the EPA AIRNOW
website (http://www.epa.gov/airnow). In addition, EPA's WebBoard
(http://ttnwww.rtpnc.epa.gov/02atnap) contains a conference area where users can post questions
and check to see if any questions have been addressed in previous postings.
If users need additional information about MapGen, they can contact Steve Fine of MCNC at
919-248-9255 (fine@ncsc.org) or Neil Wheeler of Sonoma Technology, Inc. at 707-665-9900
(neil@sonomatech.com).
The EPA Ozone Handbook
Jan Connery
Eastern Research Group, Inc.
Jan Connery of Eastern Research Group, Inc. (ERG) provided information about EPA's
handbook Ozone Monitoring, Mapping, and Public Outreach: Delivering Real-Time Ozone
Information to Your Community. (She explained that ERG is the contractor that provided support
to EPA hi developing the handbook.)
Ms. Connery explained that the goal in writing the handbook was to provide communities with a
complete map to designing an ozone program at the local level. EPA wanted the handbook to be
a useful tool to communities at all stages in program developmentfrom those who currently
have nothing in place and are considering whether to establish a program, to communities that
have some components hi place and would now like to have a comprehensive program.
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The handbook, which is available in both print and CD-ROM formats, was written with several
audiences in mind: managers and decisionmakers who may be considering whether to develop an
ozone program; technicians responsible for setting up and operating ozone monitoring, data
transfer, and mapping systems; and communications specialists who would be responsible for
ozone outreach programs.
Ms. Connery discussed the content of the handbook. For ozone monitoring, the handbook
explains how to design, site, operate, and maintain an ozone monitoring system. In the area of
data collection and transfer, it provides guidance on how to develop, operate, and maintain a
system to retrieve, manage, and distribute real-time ozone data. It also explains how to use that
ozone data to create ozone maps. It also provides guidance on how to develop an outreach
program to communicate information about real-time ozone levels to the public. Finally, the
handbook contains references to more than 100 web-based information sources, such as other
organizations' websites, EPA technical guidance, downloadable software products, and Internet
newsgroups.
To help make the handbook as relevant and useful as possible for local communities, EPA sought
the input of the user community at three stages. At the beginning of the project, managers from
state and localjair quality agencies across the country were asked about what types of guidance
they would find useful, and their answers were used to shape the handbook's content. Also, state
and local air quality agencies that have experience in setting up ozone programs were
interviewed to develop detailed case studies for the handbook. These case studies highlight the
successes and lessons learned by these agencies in developing and implementing their own ozone
programs. Finally, two agenciesthe Maryland Department of the Environment and the
Mississippi Department of Environmental Qualitypilot-tested a draft version of the handbook,
and their input was used to produce the final version.
As the last portion of her presentation, Ms. Connery discussed Chapter 6 of the handbook, which
provides step-by-step guidance on how to develop an ozone outreach plan. She explained that a
first step is to determine the goals of your outreach effortin other words, what do you want to
achieve through outreach? For ozone outreach, for example, a goal might be to motivate
members of the public to reduce their personal exposure to ozone when levels are high, or take
action such as carpooling to help reduce ozone levels. Another early step in outreach planning is
to identify your target audiences. Target audiences for ozone programs might include the public,
school children, physicians, business leaders, journalists, and weather broadcasters. The next step
is to develop key points or messages. For ozone, a message for the public might be that "elevated
ozone levels can harm your health" or that "you can access the ozone map to find out about
current ozone levels." A final step is to identify what types of outreach mechanisms or products
would be most appealing to the target audience and what distribution channels will be used to get
the outreach information or materials to target audiences.
Ms. Connery said that many innovative ozone, outreach programs have already been implemented
in communities across the country. These have included:
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Working with TV stations and weather service providers to have the ozone map shown
regularly during weather reports.
Launching intensive campaigns to encourage broadcast and print media coverage during
ozone season.
. Creating web sites that include ozone maps and other ozone-related information.
Working with schools to provide information about ozone in science and health classes.
Developing "ozone action day" programs aimed at encouraging people, businesses, and
industries to take voluntary measures to help reduce ozone levels on days when they are
high.
Operating hotlines that provide recorded information about current and forecasted ozone
levels.
Ms. Connery concluded her presentation by emphasizing the importance of partnership. For
ozone outreach, some key partners have included schools, local media, and local businesses.
Partnering with other organizations to implement outreach programs is a great way to leverage
costs, strengthen the outreach effort, and increase its success in achieving the outreach goals.
North Carolina's Air Awareness Program
Lisa Grosshandler
North Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Ms. Grosshandler provided information about the Air Awareness program, North Carolina's
outreach and education program about ground-level ozone. Her discussion focused on the
following key aspects of the program: coalitions, forecasting, and education.
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The Air Awareness program includes coalitions of key business in each of the regions for which
the program is in effect. The Air Awareness program holds meetings with these coalitions that are
intended to introduce coalition members to the concept of ground-level ozone, its health effects,
the ozone standard, and how the standard could affect Norm Carolina businesses. The Air
Awareness program works with each coalition to set up a kick-off event at the beginning of each
ozone season. These events have been both large and small, depending on the wishes of the local
metropolitan area. The larger events have reached both school children and the general public.
For example, in the Triangle area, a kick-off event was held at the Durham Bulls park in
connection with a game. At that event, Greg Fishel, a television meteorologist from WRAL-TV
in Raleigh, gave the first ozone forecast of the season. The Air Awareness program includes an
end-of-season thank-you to coalitions, both in the local newspaper and at an end-of-season lunch.
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Forecasting is another key feature of the Air Awareness program. During the ozone season, color-
coded forecasts are provided through a website, a toll-free hotline, and an automated system that
sends out forecasts via fax and e-mail. During weekdays, forecasts are given by 3:00 p.m. every
day. Ozone Action Days are called on predicted Code Orange and Code Red days. On Ozone
Action Days, the public and businesses are asked to take voluntary actions to reduce the
precursors to ozone formation.
Ms. Grosshandler said that North Carolina has placed a great deal of emphasis on ozone
education. She then provided information about several of the education tools used by the Air
Awareness program. These include: an "Ozone Zone" educational video that presents information
on ozone in a humorous way (and which also includes the U.S. EPA's "Ozone: Double Trouble"
video); an "Air Jeopardy" game, which is played on computers in a classroom setting; the "Air
Adventures" puppet show, which is performed for pre-kindergarten through second grade
students and shows how ozone is formed and how it affects plants and people; the Air Avenger
Superhero, who is a costume character who talks to children about ways to reduce air pollution
and who also appears in animated videos; and various classroom activities, which may include
live demonstrations of monitoring equipment. Ms. Grosshandler showed an animated video clip
featuring the Air Avenger.
Other educational tools include: an exhibit both that is taken to teacher conferences, fairs, and
other events; contests, such as an end-of-season contest for coalition members and a coloring
contest for kids; a media campaign, which includes animated videos/commercials featuring the
Air Avenger and radio spots geared to adults; coalition site-coordinator training; and a media day,
which is a 2-hour training that provides television and radio personnel with information about
ozone and its health effects. Ms. Grosshandler commented that media days have been very
helpful in getting the media to agree to provide ozone forecasts. In 1999, the ozone forecast was
provided hi 75 percent of the state's markets.
Ms. Grosshandler concluded her presentation by discussing some of the challenges that face the
Air Awareness program. Among other things, these include quantifying the success of the
program. (North Carolina is looking into U.S. EPA guidance on how to quantify emissions
reductions that result from voluntary programs.) Another challenge is keeping the program fresh
(e.g., coming up with new ideas and fresh faces and keeping coalition members excited
throughout the ozone seasonespecially with as many Code Orange days as North Carolina has).
She concluded her presentation by advising states and localities that are developing ozone
outreach programs to talk to other states about their ozone education and outreach programs and
the lessons they have learned.
Ozone Comes to Television!
Greg Fishel
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, North Carolina
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Mr. Fishel, a meteorologist from WRAL-TV in Raleigh, North Carolina, explained how his
station displayed ozone data during newscasts throughout the 1999 ozone season. In addition to
showing ozone maps during news broadcasts, on Code Orange and Code Red days, the station
displayed "ozone alert" icons hi the corner of the screen during other programming.
According to Mr. Fishel, WRAL-TV's coverage of ozone data in 1999 was a natural outgrowth of
the strong relationship the station has developed with the North Carolina Division of Air Quality
over the last two or three years. He commented that real-time ozone data is an effective way to
illustrate for the public the reality of air quality problems. He added that showing ozone data on
television promotes public actions to reduce ozone concentrations; when people see real-time
ozone data, they are more likely to be motivated to take steps to reduce ground-level ozone.
Mr. Fishel explained how the station accesses and displays ozone data. The North Carolina
Division of Air Quality retrieves ozone concentration data by polling ozone monitors throughout
the state. They then send it to the U.S. EPA, which processes the data and sends it to Weather
Service Providers (WSPs). WRAL-TV receives its data from Weather Central, Inc., a WSP based
in Madison, Wisconsin. The station retrieves the data from Weather Central via dial-up
connection. (In 2000, Weather Central will deliver data via satellite.) Once WRAL receives its
data from Weather Central, they transfer the data to a graphic display system (an SGI Octane),
which interpolates the hourly data to make color-contoured, animated ozone maps. (The maps are
based on the colors specified hi EPA's Air Quality Index rule.)
Mr. Fishel then discussed several steps that could be taken to improve the process of getting real-
time ozone information on television. First, the "observation-to-display" time needs to be
reduced. Currently, it takes nearly three hours for data collected at monitors to be ready for
display on the air. (In 1999, the only option available to WRAL-TV was to show viewers a recap
of what happened earlier in the day.) Second, this transmission speed limited the number of ozone
monitors in North Carolina that could be polled at any given hour. If transmission speeds were
improved, data from all monitoring stations could be included in television broadcasts, which
would provide a more complete picture of North Carolina air quality. Finally, it would be helpful
to provide the public with forecast data in the same format as observed data. Mr. Fishel
commented that this would help improve people's understanding of ozone data if the display
modes for forecasted and observed data were consistent.
Mr. Fishel concluded his presentation by stating that feedback about WRAL-TV's ozone
coverage has been positive. The public is genuinely interested in seeing a type of data they have
not seen before. Also, seeing ozone data in near real-time has helped the public see that air
quality is a legitimate issue in North Carolina. He also commented that the public expressed some
concern about threshold level for displaying ozone alert icons. WRAL-TV displayed these icons
on both Code Orange and Code Red days. Because Code Orange days are so frequent in North
Carolina, some people were concerned that the public might be "desensitized" by the frequent
appearance of the Code Orange icon; however, the station chose to display the Code Orange icon
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as a service to individuals whose health is affected when concentrations reach "Code Orange"
levels.
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Ozone Maps on Television
Tim Dye
Sonoma Technology, Inc.
Tim Dye of Sonoma Technology, Inc., explained how ozone maps get on television. It is
particularly important to get ozone maps on television, he said, because television reaches such a
broad audience. One broadcast of the ozone map can reach millions of households.
In 1995, the Maryland Department of the Environment and the American Lung Association were
able to get ozone maps shown on WRC-TV in the Baltimore-Washington, B.C. area. Then, in
1996, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection was successful in having the local
PBS channel show the maps. In 1998, the U.S. EPA, in cooperation with 20 Eastern states and
California, approached the Weather Service Providers (WSPs), and the ozone map received some
limited television coverage that year. In Sacramento, the ozone map received good coverage by
one local station hi 1998. In 1999, EPA, in cooperation with 30 Eastern states and California,
worked closely with the WSPs and improved television coverage of the map. Mr. Dye then
provided background on how the U.S. EPA has worked with WSPs to get them to carry the ozone
map. He said that EPA made an informational presentation at the 1998 National Association of
Broadcasters meeting and exhibited at the 1998 and 1999 American Meteorological Society's
Broadcaster's meetings.
Mr. Dye then provided some detailed information about WSPs. He explained that WSPs are
companies that supply weather data, images, and forecasts to television stations, newspapers,
private industry, and the public. There are five WSPs: AccuWeather, Kavouras, the Weather
Channel, Weather Central, and Weather Services International (WSI). He said that television
stations want their graphics to be distinct from those of other television stations, and WSPs have
the hardware and software that conform to television standards and allow stations to customize
the maps to achieve a distinctive look. He added that television weathercasters do not have the
time to manipulate images or download images, such as the ozone map, from the web. WSPs
provide high-speed, automated delivery of data in the form that television stations want and need.
He then showed a schematic illustrating the flow of ozone data from ozone monitors to television
stations. He explained that WSPs reformat gridded ozone data supplied to them by EPA and send
the reformatted data to television stations by satellite or dial-up connection. Television stations
then conduct further customization of the data and maps.
He reported that the response from WSPs has been generally favorable. At this point, Weather
Central has been the most positive of the WSPs and picked up the ozone map in both 1998 and
1999. In addition, the Weather Channel has posted city-specific ozone forecasts on its website. In
1999, WSI and Kavouras both ingested the data and sent it to television stations. AccuWeather,
however, has yet to sense a demand for the ozone maps from its client stations and therefore has
not yet picked up the ozone map. Mr. Dye cited some issues that are preventing widespread
distribution of the ozone map: it is not yet a nationwide product; it is not a year-round product;
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and the information is not as "real-time" as weathercasters desire. (EPA is focusing on this issue
to try to improve turnaround time.) In addition, WSPs are reluctant to invest resources in a
product for which the demand is unknown at this time.
Mr. Dye then played a series of video clips showing how the ozone map has been covered during
weather broadcasts.
He said that television coverage of the ozone map has been particularly successful in North
Carolina and in Sacramento, Californiadue largely to the efforts of Lisa Grosshandler and
Kerry Shearer, the ozone public information officers for North Carolina and Sacramento,
respectively. Kerry and Lisa were successful because they met with and educated television
meteorologists, generated interest in the ozone maps, encouraged local television stations to
contact WSPs to show demand for the maps, and stayed in touch with the stations throughout the
ozone season. The results are that the ozone map received more "ah" play" in these regions than in
any other region covered by the ozone map.
Mr. Dye concluded his presentation by talking about what is needed to get additional coverage of
the ozone map on television stations. He urged state public outreach officials to contact television
stations to: explain that the ozone maps are available; encourage the stations to contact their
WSP; explain to weathercasters how ozone affects health; explain what the ozone maps show;
and develop relationships with television stations.
Ozone Action Days: The Baltimore-Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Region's
ENDZONE Program
Tad Aburn and Randy Mosier
Air Quality Planning Program, Maryland Department of the Environment
Tad Aburn, Randy Mosier, and additional staff from Maryland's Air Quality Planning Program
discussed the ENDZONE program, the ozone outreach and education program for the Baltimore-
Washington, D.C. metropolitan region. .
Mr. Aburn explained that Maryland has been working on its ozone program since the early 1990s.
The program has evolved from a simple forecasting program to a multifaceted program that
includes forecasting, mapping, and media campaigns. He then provided a brief history of the
ozone program for the Baltimore-Washington area. In 1993, the Maryland Department of the
Environment worked with the University of Maryland to develop and test an ozone forecasting
methodology. In 1994, color-coded forecasting began in the Baltimore area, and in 1995,
forecasting was expanded to cover the Washington area. 1995 was also the first year of the
ENDZONE program. The Ozone Action Days program was initiated in 1996. "Code Red" media
coverage was extensive during both the 1995 and 1997 ozone seasons. In 1999, both Ozone
Action Days and ENDZONE partnerships increased significantly.
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Bill Buroughs, Managing Director of ENDZONE Partners, discussed END'ZONE' s outreach
campaign. ENDZONE ran an extensive public education campaign in 1999 and spent $204,000 to
broadcast messages across the Baltimore-Washington region. He then showed a video clip about
Ozone Action days that was broadcast during the 1999 ozone season.
Next, Jonathan Friday of Maryland's Air Quality Planning Program discussed the ENDZONE
Partner's Ozone Action Days program. He said that the backbone of any ozone outreach program
is its partners. ENDZONE Partners include businesses, local nonprofit agencies, and state and
local agencies. ENDZONE Partners receive daily ozone forecasts via fax or e-mail. They also are
notified when air quality levels exceed federal standards. On Ozone Action Days, ENDZONE
Partners recommend that people limit using light-duty vehicles (including refueling), avoid non-
industrial painting, and curtail the use of land and garden equipment and consumer aerosol
products. Mr. Friday then showed a video clip on Ozone Action Days, which was aired by WJZ-
TV.
Michael Woodman, a meteorologist with Maryland's Air Quality Planning Program, provided
information about ozone forecasting. He said that the forecast is developed by reviewing satellite
images and other forecasting services provided by the National Weather Service and then
plugging weather information into an ozone regression model developed by the University of
Maryland. The final ozone forecast is determined during a conference call with meteorologists
from the Maryland Department of the Environment, the University of Maryland, the Virginia
Department of Environmental Quality, and the Washington Council of Governments.
Next, Chuck Cramer, a planner with Maryland's Air Quality Planning Program, explained how
the ozone forecast is distributed to the public. The forecast is faxed to over 50 media outlets (e.g.,
local television and radio stations and newspapers) and to over 300 businesses in the region.
Businesses then pass the forecast information along to their employees. Mr. Cramer said that the
forecast has generated more media coverage than all other media efforts combined and has
resulted hi routine daily media coverage of ozone air quality. "Code Red" has become a message
that is widely understood within the Baltimore-Washington media market.
Finally, Randy Mosier, a planner with Maryland's Air Quality Planning Program, explained
Maryland's ozone mapping system and discussed the results of the ozone outreach initiative. Mr.
Mosier said that the map was originally conceptualized and piloted by the Maryland Department
of the Environment and the American Lung Association of Maryland. The map is based on data
collected from monitors in Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
A software package was developed for use by local television stations to show the formation and
movement of ozone pollution across the region. The map was first aired on television stations in
Baltimore and Washington in 1995.
Mr. Mosier then discussed some of the successes of ozone outreach efforts in the Baltimore-
Washington region. The Ozone Action Days program has grown steadily, from 91 partners in
1996 to over 300 in 1999. He said that daily forecasts have made "Code Red" a common phrase
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that has people talking about air quality all the time. Survey results have shown that seven out of
ten people across the region have heard the "Code Red" message, and 90 percent of the public in
the region see air quality as a top environmental problem. In addition, more that 40 percent of the
public believe that they can individually make a difference in air quality, and 35 percent reported
taking voluntary actions to help reduce ground-level ozone during "Code Red" alerts.
Mr. Mosier concluded his presentation by sharing some lessons learned. He said that it is
important to begin an outreach program by getting state and local government agencies on board.
It is also important to develop a strong relationship with local media outlets and to work closely
with regulated industries who may be willing to develop a program (i.e., participate as an Ozone
Action Day partner) and be seen as participating in a positive environmental activity. He advised
folks to have plenty of informational material on hand during site visits to media, businesses and
industries, and other agencies. Finally, it is important to get a head start on the summer ozone
season.
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4. SUMMARY OF LIVE QUESTION-AND-ANSWER SESSIONS
This chapter contains a summary of the two live question-and-answer sessions that were held
during the December 15 satellite broadcast. Questions were received from viewers by phone or
fax during the broadcast. Each question that was asked during each session is presented, followed
by a summary of the participant's response.
Question and Answer Session #1
Panel: Chet Wayland, EPA/OAQPS
Phil Dickerson, EPA/OAQPS
Neil Wheeler, Sonoma Technology, Inc.
Charles Pietarinen, New Jersey DEP
Jan Connery, ERG, Inc.
[For Chet Wayland] How will the Ozone Mapping Project continue after the EMPACT
program ends?
Mr. Wayland explained that EPA established the Ozone Mapping Project to try to build the
infrastructure for ozone monitoring, data transfer, and mapping within states and local
communities. After EMPACT funding ends, states and localities will be in a position to continue
to provide the real-time data. EPA's Office of Air Quality, Planning and Standards will continue
to maintain the Data Collection Center and the map generation operations in Research Triangle
Park, North Carolina.
[For Chet Wayland] When will the ozone mapping project be expanded to add additional
pollutants?
Mr. Wayland noted that Charles Pietarinen of the New Jersey DEP mentioned during his
presentation that New Jersey already provides real-time particulate matter (PM) data for the state
of New Jersey. Many areas of the country already have the capability to provide PM data. EPA
hopes to provide some PM data on the AIRNOW website as early as this summer (the summer of
2000). If not by then, then definitely by the summer of 2001, EPA hopes to have the data
collection system set up and ready to handle PM data.
[For Phil Dickerson] Please explain how the ADTS (Automatic Data Transfer System)
calculates peak 8-hour concentrations.
Mr. Dickerson explained that because data on peak concentrations are available only the
following day, and peak values are calculated from that data. EPA does not do any kind of -
predictive modeling.
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[For Neil Wlteeler] The ozone animations give the appearance that the ozone plume
migrates from one area to another, sometimes counter to the winds. Can you display
animated wind vectors on the map to clarify this origin/movement confusion?
Mr. Wheeler explained that wind vectors cannot be displayed on the ozone maps. He commented
that it would be a nice feature, particularly for air quality analysts and meteorologists. The ozone
maps were designed as tools for public outreach, and unfortunately, they don't have the capability
to show wind vectors.
[For Neil Wheeler] How small an area can be mapped with MapGen?
Mr. Wheeler explained that there is essentially very little limitation on the size of areas you can
map with MapGen. MapGen allows you to show something as small as a football field, if
observations were available at that resolution.
[For Charles Pietarinen] Does the New Jersey DEP provide Air Quality Index (AQI) reports
and/or forecasts for PM, ^ or annual PMin?
2.5
Mr. Pietarinen responded that New Jersey does not provide AQI products for the annual (PMi0)
standards. New Jersey does have continuous measurements of PM25 at five locations that are
included in the index calculation, and New Jersey uses a tool called Smokeshade as a surrogate
measure for PM10 at thirteen locations in the state.
[For Charles Pietarinen] What are some the issues regarding the mapping of particulates?
Mr. Pietarinen said that one issue involves establishing enough monitoring sites so that you have
sufficient spatial coverage to create a legitimate map for that parameter. A second issue has to do
with averaging tune. For ozone, a one-hour predictor is used for an eight-hour value. This type of
system doesn't seem to work as well for fine particulate matter, for which the standard is based
on a 24-hour average.
{For Phil DickersonJ What do you do if a state or local agency finds incorrect values after
the data have been submitted to the data collection center? Can those values be corrected?
Mr. Dickerson explained that there are seven polls each day. Each poll is inclusive from midnight
of that day until the current polling hour. At any poll, a state or local agency can resubmit data
that occurred before that poll. Also, there is a "last-chance" poll the following day which EPA
uses to calculate the peak maps. A state or local agency can deliver its entire data set for that day
during that poll. It becomes more complicated if a state or local agency needs to change data after
the "last-chance" poll, because EPA then has to re-QA the data and redraw maps. EPA
encourages agencies to check their data daily to try to correct errors on the same day, if possible.
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[For Phil Dickerson]Can an agency set its own quality assurance parameters?
Mr. Dickerson said that the QA system is very flexible. The full range of QA parameters, such as
maximum, minimum, and rate of change, can be set for every station and every hour.
[For Neil Wheeler] When is the updated version of MapGen going to be available?
Mr. Wheeler responded that an updated version of MapGen was delivered to EPA in June, 1999,
but it was not put into general distribution due to budget constraints. However, a completely new
release will be made available this year (2000). In the interim, if people need to get the latest
version of MapGen, they should contact Phil Dickerson.
[For Neil Wheeler] Is there some way to show only a few roads and rivers on the map?
Mr. Wheeler explained that MapGen includes the entire data sets for roadways and rivers, so
when applying the roads/rivers feature, the maps contains an awful lot of information. He
suggested the following ways to create maps with a subset of roads and/or rivers. (1) Create your
own customized data set with a geographical information system (GIS) and select only certain
road types or certain areas. (MapGen includes documentation that explains how to do this.); or (2)
Generate an image with all the roads or rivers. Taking that image and using it as a background,
trace in roads or rivers with a graphics tool such as Corel Draw or any tool that works with
Windows metafiles. The Windows metafiles can be used with MapGen to provide an overlay.
That way, you can create maps that include only the roads that you want to show.
[For Jan Connery] Where can a person get more information on setting up an Ozone Action
Day Program? How do they find out what's involved?
Ms. Connery responded that the BMP ACT guidance manual Ozone Monitoring, Mapping, and
Public Outreach includes a chapter devoted to outreach. Furthermore, EPA has developed an
entire guidance document devoted to the subject of developing community action programs. The
document, entitled Community Action Programs: A Blueprint for Program Design was published
in 1999. It leads the reader through all the steps involved in setting up this type of program, and it
provides examples for some of the materials that existing programs have used. It can be obtained
at http://www.epa.gov/oms/traq.
[For Charles Pietarinen] Which of your public outreach efforts have been most successful?
Mr. Pietarinen said that New Jersey's most successful efforts are media-oriented because they
reach the largest audience. New Jersey's daily press releases, which include the air quality index
and forecast values, as well as New Jersey's air quality media advisories have been the most
successful in reaching people. He added that New Jersey is very excited about the web-based
applications it has developed. The website address is http://www.state.nj.us/dep/airmon.
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[For Jan Cannery] Can you talk about how to build partnerships? What types of roles
partners could play, and who those partners could be?
j
Ms. Connery emphasized that partnerships are tremendously important to outreach programs.
Identifying partners is one of the first steps to take in establishing an ozone outreach program.
Partners for ozone outreach efforts might include businesses; the media; elected officials;
transportation agencies; gas stations; schools; and day care centers.
Many ozone outreach programs currently have businesses as partners. Businesses can instantly
notify hundreds or thousands of their employees through e-mail or voice mail. They can create
incentives for participating hi Ozone Action Days such as flex time, vanpooling, telecommuting
options, free lunches, and prizes. They can also help track participation and provide leadership
and funding.
One of the key things to think about in recruiting businesses is to help them understand the
benefits they will receive from their involvement, such as good PR and recognition from the
press. Many Ozone Action Day programs make a point of publicizing the role of partners through
the media so that the partners can receive widespread recognition. Additionally, Ozone Action
Day programs host ozone season kickoffs and end-of-the-season events to recognize partners and
present awards.
Ms. Connery stated that another key partner is the media. They provide a very important channel
for educating and notifying the public. Information about ozone levels can be conveyed on the
news, through weather broadcasts, traffic advisories, talk shows, andif budgets can support
itpaid advertising. It is very important to start working with the media before the ozone season
begins. Ms. Connery recommended meeting with the media in person to get their buy-in and
support and to explain the program, and how they can help. She also recommended making an
effort to keep in touch with them throughout ozone and provide them information they need.
[For diet WaylandJIs the National Weather Service picking up ozone maps, and will they
distribute them to local media outlets nationwide?
Mr. Wayland began by explaining the difference between the National Weather Service and
Weather Service Providers. The National Weather Service is a federal agency that gathers and
maintains U.S. meteorological data. Weather Service Providers, on the other hand, are private
agencies that collect the data from the National Weather Service and other entities and then
distribute the data to local TV stations in their proper formats.
Mr. Wayland explained that the Ozone Mapping Project is working to provide ozone data and the
ozone map to all Weather Service Providers. The map was made available to Weather Service
Providers this past summer. He encouraged people involved in ozone outreach to talk to their
local TV contacts and tell them that the data are available from Weather Service Providers for
their local weather forecast.
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[For Charles Pietarinen] Does the New Jersey program get together with media outlets
before the ozone season starts?
Mr. Pietarinen stated that New Jersey usually holds an Ozone Action Day media event before
ozone season starts. The event is designed to increase awareness and to thank partners and get
them geared up for the upcoming season. In past years, New Jersey has also held a media event
for the press and television stations to let them know how ozone information is being made
available to them and to suggest ways that they can use it. He added that some TV and radio
stations carry New Jersey's ozone information on a daily basis. Others only want to pick it up
when there is a "real" story because pollution is very high.
[For Charles Pietarinen] What is one of the more creative outreach efforts you have seen?
The Philadelphia Ozone Action Partner has a mascot called the Smoginator, who does radio
spots. One of my favorite outreach events was held at Veterans Stadium where the Philadelphia
Phillies play. It was an ozone-free barbeque to kick off the season. We invited Ozone Action
partners and we held a student poster contest. Winners were invited to meet the Philly Phanatic
(the team mascot) and get free hot dogs. There were also some vendor demonstrations of electric
lawnmowers and solvent-free paints.
[For Jan Connery] Have any attempts been made to evaluate the success of ozone outreach
efforts?
Ms. Connery stated that a number of programs conduct some form of evaluation to track their
successes, and they have shown very good results. Some of the things to look at when planning an
evaluation are: how many people you are reaching through your program; how effectively your
messages and materials are raising awareness and understanding; and how your efforts are
motivating people to change their behavior.
Before you start your outreach program, you can administer a pre-campaign survey to identify
current understanding and awareness and establish a baseline. Using focus groups, you can also
test your messages and your draft outreach products. Once you have implemented your program,
you can conduct periodic evaluations and end-of-the-season evaluations. By comparing these
results to the baseline, you can understand how well your program is working and identify areas
for improvement.
Ms. Connery stated that telephone surveys are cost-effective and can be done rapidly. It is
important to try to reach people the evening of the ozone action day while their experiences and
choices of the day are fresh in their minds. Ms. Connery highly recommended devoting a portion
of an ozone outreach budget to evaluation.
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Question and Answer Session #2
Panel: Chet Wayland, EPA/OAQPS
Greg Fishel, WRAL Television
Lisa Grosshandler, NC DAQ
[For Chet Wayland] How can I get ozone maps on the air?
Mr. Wayland said that first you need to determine if ozone maps are currently available in your
area. He said that the maps are currently available for thirty states in the U.S. EPA hopes to
expand the maps nationwide by the end of 2000. Next, contact your local TV stations, who you
need to work with very closely to make sure the maps get on the air. Explain that the maps are
available from their Weather Service Provider. Explain to them how ozone affects health and why
it is important to show the maps on the air. Explain what the map shows in terms of the different
colors, the contour levels, and the accompanying health messages. You will want to develop a
relationship with that TV station so that when they have questions, they know who to call. Work
with them daily, if needed, to make sure they understand what the product is.
[For Greg Fishel] When did you start using the maps, and how can we convince our own
local stations to participate?
Mr. Fishel said that the summer of 1999 was the first year that his station used the ozone maps.
As Chet Wayland mentioned, the map will soon be available from all the different Weather
Service Providers. He said that the only reason the ozone map was not covered by all the stations
in his market this past summer was that only one Weather Service Provider had made the map
available at that time; Mr. Fishel said that as all the providers get involved, there shouldn't be any
reason why television stations wouldn't want access to the ozone data.
[For Greg Fishel] Is this information that stations are hungry for, or do people need to pitch
it to them?
Mr. Fishel replied that stations want to provide the information as a public service, but they need
to be educated about the importance of air quality and how it relates to health. Mr. Fishel said that
he could not think of a public service that would be much more valuable than giving people
information that relates to their health.
[For Chet Wayland] When are the ozone maps valid? In other words, if a local station has a
noon broadcast, are the maps real-time, or are they delayed?
Mr. Wayland replied that EPA calls the maps "real-time," but to be more accurate, they should
probably be called "near real-time." In 1999, EPA polled the states every two hours to get the
data. When the data come in, EPA has to do some processing on it. EPA then ships it out to the
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Weather Service Providers, who make it available to the local TV stations. Unfortunately, hi
some cases it took over 2Vz hours to get the data to the TV. stations.
Mr. Wayland said that EPA is redesigning the way in which the Agency is shipping data out to
the Weather Service Providers. In 2000, Weather Central [ a Weather Service Provider] is going
to ship their data to their stations via satellite versus modem and file transfer protocol (ftp). Mr.
Wayland said that this should improve the time it takes to get data to local stations and, ideally,
EPA hopes to cut the current time in half. For example, on a 5:00 p.m. forecast, you would be
able to get data that was current as of 4:00 p.m. Mr.. Wayland concluded by stating that EPA
hopes to go to hourly polling, and then the data will be available every hour. He hopes that in
2000, after a poll, data should be able to reach local TV stations within 45 to 50 minutes.
[For Chet Wayland] Are the data being shown for a particular time an estimate of an
average based on current data?
Mr. Wayland said that this is in fact correct. He added that the eight-hour average for ozone
creates a tough communications challenge, especially when dealing with real-time data. Real data
comes in every hour from the monitors, and EPA again, collects the data every two hours. EPA
then displays the data using the Air Quality Index, which is based on the eight-hour average. If
EPA were to show data based on an eight-hour average calculation, the noon eight-hour average
would not be shown until 4:00 p.m., because it is based on the midpoint eight-hour average. EPA
has developed a surrogate approach that allows the Agency to relate one-hour data to the eight-
hour averages. The correlation is very good, somewhere between 0.80 and 0.94, depending on
where you live. Mr. Wayland concluded by saying that if technology ever advances to the point
where data are received instantaneously, we can obviously shorten that window. Right now, with
the eight-hour component, this approach is the best we can do.
[For Greg Fishel] Do you have any advice from lessons you've learned?
Mr. Fishel said that on Code Orange and Code Red days, his station started putting little icons in
the corner of the TV screen at times throughout the day to let people know that it is a Code Red
or Code Orange day. However, the station also used an. icon to alert people when a heat advisory
was in effect. The station found that people were confused by the ozone and the heat icons. Of
course, in a lot of cases, ozone and heat warnings coincided. However, we wanted to make sure
that we were not confusing people, so we changed the color and the shape of the icons to make
them more easily distinguishable.
[For Greg Fishel] Will it desensitize people if you continue to use Code Orange days as the
threshold for displaying your icons on the screen?
Mr. Fishel responded that his station has been concerned about possibly desensitizing people, but
they post the icons for Code Orange days in the interest of public health. He reported that the
station has received some complaints from people who said that they do not want the icon on
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their screen unless it's a Code Red day. At this point, however, his station has taken the attitude
that there are enough affected people with respiratory issues to justify posting the icon on Code
Orange days.
[For Lisa Grosshandler] How has it worked out having a fun outreach campaign on
something as serious as ozone?
i
Ms. Grosshandler responded that warning folks on the dangers of ozone is a very serious matter,
but her agency wanted to avoid a "sky is falling" advertising campaign.
Her agency used the Air Avenger to gear its ad campaign toward children. They modeled the
campaign after their recycling outreach program, which was also targeted at children. They are
now trying to educate children on what ground-level ozone is, in hopes that they will transfer that
knowledge to their parents. She added that some of the Air Avenger commercials produced in the
last year have been very serious in their approach to getting across what the color codes are and
what they mean. They have also produced radio ads that are geared more towards adults and use
adult humor to get across the message. She also said that they are now trying to put together a
focus group to help generate ideas about where to go from here.
[ForLisa Grosshandler]'Did you have a good budget for this, and does a campaign like this
take a lot of money?
Ms. Grosshandler responded that the campaign has taken a fair amount of money. Educating the
public is an important part of North Carolina's ozone reduction strategy, and they have been very
fortunate in receiving support for their outreach program. She commented that the most
expensive part of the program was not producing the ads, but buying the time to place the ads on
television.
[For Lisa Grosshandler] Do you see your campaign moving to a more hard-nosed approach
in this next year?
Ms. Grosshandler stated that although they will try to focus a bit more on the seriousness of
ozone, they will also keep the fun side of the campaign for the kids.
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APPENDIX A
Agenda
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EPA Satellite F:orum on
Ozone Monitoring, Mapping,
and Public Outreach
December 15,19^9
1:00-4:00 p.m., Eastern Time
1:00-1:05 Introduction
Chet Wayland, U.S. EPA/Office of Air Quality,
Planning and Standards
1:05-1:15 EPA's EMPACT Program: Bringing real-time
environmental information to cities across the nation
Denice Shaw, U.S. EPA/Office of Research and
Development/EMPACT Program
1:15-1:30 The Ozone Mapping Project
Chet Wayland, US. EPA/Office of Air Quality,
Planning and Standards
1:30-1:50 Ozone Data Collection and Transfer for Ozone Mapping
Phil Dickerson, U.S. EPA/Office of Air Quality,
Planning and Standards
1:50-2:05 New Jersey's Ozone Data Transfer System
Charles Pietarinen, New Jersey Department
of Environmental Protection
2:05-2:20 * Making Ozone Maps Using Real-Tune Data
Neil Wheeler, Sonoma Technology,, Inc. ,
2:20-2:35 EPA's Ozone Monitoring, Mapping, and Public Outreach
Technology Transfer Handbook and CD-ROM
Jan Connery, Eastern Research Group, Inc.
2:35-2:45 Break
2:45-3:30 Ozone Outreach Program Sucess Stories
North Carolina's Air Awareness Program
Lisa Grosshandler, North Carolina Department
of the Environment and Natural Resources
Getting the Ozone Maps on Television
Tim Dye, Sonoma Technology, Inc.
The DC-Baltimore Area's Endzone Program:
An ozone action day program
Randy Master and Tad Aburn, Maryland Department
of the Environment
3:30-3:55 Live Question-amd-Answer Session (Panel)
3:55-4:00 Wrap-Up
-------
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APPENDIX B
Satellite Broadcast Viewership
-------
-------
APPENDIX B
Satellite Broadcast Viewership
1. Attendance at Air Pollution Distance Learning Network (APDLN) Downlink Sites
As of February 3, 2000, 58 of the 127 APDLN downlink sites had reported on attendance at the
December 15 satellite broadcast. A total of 117 people attended the broadcast at the 58 sites
reporting. (Note that this number does not reflect a complete count of all attendees at APDLN
downlink sites but only the total number of attendees at sites that reported. EPA's Education and
Outreach Group estimates total attendance at APDLN downlink sites to have been 196
individuals.)
The chart below shows the number of attendees for each site reporting. Sites that reported zero
attendees are not listed. BMP ACT metropolitan areas are designated with an asterisk.
City
Montgomery, AL
Little Rock, AR*
Ventura, CA
San Diego, CA*
Fresno, CA*
Washington, DC*
Clearwater, FL*
Orlando, FL*
West Palm Beach, FL*
Fort Lauderdale, FL*
Atlanta, GA*
Urbandale, IA
Indianapolis, IN*
Evansville, IN
Frankfort, KY
Boston, MA*
Lansing, MI
Attendees
14
3
1
2
4
4
6
1
4
3
3
5
6
2
3
4
5
B-l
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City
Asheville, NC
Bismarck, ND
Trenton, NJ
Albany, NY*
Dayton, OH*
Akron, OH*
Oklahoma City, OK*
Philadelphia, PA*
Columbia, SC
Nashville, IN*
Austin, TX*
Arlington, TX
Salt Lake City, UT*
Richmond, VA*
Madison, WI
Charleston, WV*
TOTAL
Attendees
3
1
1
4
4
1
5
2
4
2
4
3
3
2
3
1
117
2. Internet Simulcast Viewership
A total of 25 individuals accessed the URL address to view the December 15 satellite broadcast
via Internet simulcast. The available data do not provide the geographic location of those who
accessed the.simulcast
3. Viewership at Ku and C Band Downlink Sites
There are no data available on the number of individuals who viewed the broadcast using Ku and
C band coordinates. ERG implemented a web-based sign-in and evaluation form that would have
provided some data on individuals who viewed the broadcast via Internet and Ku and C band.
Completion of the forms was voluntary and required logging on to ERG's website to access the
forms. Unfortunately, due to an interruption hi service with ERG's Internet Service Provider on
the day of the satellite broadcast, the evaluation form did not function and no data were received.
B-2
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APPENDIX C
Workshop Guide
-------
-------
Environmental
Programs
APT1 Workshop 7-040
Ozone Monitoring,
Mapping and Public
Outreach
Workshop Guide
APTI Workshop 7-040
Developed by Environmental Programs - Nortti Carolina State University
EPA Cooperative Assistance Agreement CT-825724
Industrial Extension Service College of Engineering North Carolina State University
C-l
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This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection
Agency (U.S. EPA) under Cooperative Assistance Agreement CT-825724 to North Carolina
State University. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies
of U.S. EPA, not does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or
recommendation for use. ©1999 North Carolina State University.
All rights reserved. State and local air-pollution control agencies, U.S. EPA offices, and federal
offices designated by EPA are authorized to make royalty-free copies of this document in
connection with telecourses. Otherwise, no part of this publication may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
recording, or information storage and retrieval systems, for any purpose without the express
written permission of North Carolina State University.
Appendix C is reprinted from T040-99 Study Guide - AQI: Ozone Monitoring, Mapping, and
Public Outreach with permission of North Carolina State University.
C-2
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(Revision: 9/99)
Fax Question Sheet
APTI Workshop T-040
Ozone Monitoring, Mapping and Public Outreach
December 15, 1999
Voice: (800) 742-9813
Fax: (800) 553-7656
Please write your question and direct it to the appropriate presenter if possible.
Question for:
Question from:
City/State:
Office Phone Number: ( )
Spacenetlnc. Trouble Line: 1 (800) 770-2887
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APTI Workshop T-040
Ozone Monitoring, Mapping and
Public Outreach
Presented by OAQPS
Broadcast Agenda
December 15, 1999 1:00pm ET
SECTION
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
10 MIN.
TOPIC
Introduction Chet Wayland
EPA's EM PACT Program Denice Shaw
The Ozone Mapping Project Chet Wayland
Data Collection and Transfer for Ozone Mapping
Phil Dickerson
Success Story: New Jersey's Ozone Data Transfer
System Charles Pietarinen
Making Ozone Maps Neil Wheeler
Use of the Ozone Monitoring, Mapping and Public
Outreach Technology Transfer Handbook and CD
Jan Connery
BREAK
Questions and Answers
North Carolina's Air Awareness Program
Lisa Grosshandler and Greg Fischel
Getting the Ozone Maps on Television Tim Dye
The DC-Baltimore Area's Endzone Program
TadAbum & Randy Mosier
Questions and Answers and Wrap up
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Online Conference Site
In addition to submitting questions via fax machine or telephone during the broadcast, North
Carolina State University Environmental Programs offers another means for you to communicate
with the instructor and other course participants. An online conference site on the World Wide
Web allows you to have your questions answered and participate in class discussions after the
broadcast has ended.
Use your Web Browser to access the online conference site at:
www.epin.ncsu.edu/t-040/
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Environmental Monitoring
Denice Shaw, Ph.D.
Program Director
EMPACT
Where Are We Working?
XT ~
Mission
Assist communities to implement
sustainable monitoring that
provides current and accurate
information about local
environments
'Right To'
Information based on best available
science
Accurate and quality assured
information
Current information about local
environmental conditions
Background
Agency model for monitoring
incorporating new and innovative
science
Monitor parameters that affect
human and ecological health
Executed through community
projects based on scientific
collaborations
Background
Steering committee
150+ participants and partners
Community Owned
Monitoring
« Data management (with provision for
secondary access)
Interpretation
Access
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Status
Monitoring projects in 84 Cities
Research grants for community-led
monitoring in 16 cities (FY98)
Research to advance real-time
monitoring
C-7
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AIRNOW - The Ozone
Mapping Project
ChetWayland
What is the Ozone
Mapping Project?
A collaborative effort: between the
Federal, State and Local Air
Agencies to collect, quality assure,
and transfer real-time air quality
information to the public
What is the Ozone
Mapping Project?
Intended to provide the public with
fast and easy access to
understandable air quality
information that can assist them in
making good health-based
decisions about their daily
activities
History of the Ozone
Mapping Project
Mapping concept initiated by the
Maryland Department of
Environment and the Maryland-
American Lung Association in the
Baltimore area in late 1994
History of the Ozone
Mapping Project
Ozone mapping piloted in the
northeast United States by EPA
Region I in 1997
History of the Ozone
Mapping Project
Full implementation of the
automated real-time ozone
mapping system in the eastern
United States begins in 1998 under
the support of the EMPACT
Program
C-8
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Overview of the
Mapping Process
5 primary components
State and Local monitoring
networks
Automated Data Transfer System
(ADTS)
Overview of the
Mapping Process
Data Collection Center (DCC)
Map Generation
Outreach
*>ef« F.m i i ifci
Current ozone movies yesterday's ozons mows
-3 yesterdays peak t-ftour, arafSjiterdayfc peak 8-hour
C-9
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Recap of Overview of the
Mapping Process
* 5 primary components
* State and Local monitoring
networks
* Automated Data Transfer System
(ADTS)
Recap Overview of the
Mapping Process
Data Collection Center (DCC)
Map Generation
Outreach
What Areas are
Participating in the
Mapping Project?
Current geographical coverage
includes 61 EMPACT cities with
complete coverage in 29 eastern
States and California
What Areas are
Participating in the
Mapping Project?
Future plans are to complete
coverage in the contiguous United
States and expand beyond ozone
to include other pollutants such as
particulate matter
How has the Ozone
Mapping Project been
Received by the Public?
AIRNOW website received over
1.2 million accesses per month
(May '99 - September '99)
How has the Ozone
Mapping Project been
Received by the Public?
Numerous positive comments from
the public (daycare, asthmatics,
outdoor workers, exercisers, air
awareness programs)
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How has the Ozone
Mapping Project been
Received by the Public?
Maps and forecasts carried by
The Weather Channel and major
Weather Service Providers as well
as local TV weather forecasters
How has the Ozone
Mapping Project been
Received by the Public?
Ozone Mapping Project received
the Government Technology
Leadership Award in 1998
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Data Collection
and Transfer for
Ozone Mapping
Phil Dickerson,
EPA
OAQPS
Regulatory History and Types
of Monitoring Networks
See 40CFR58:
Ambient Monitoring Regulations,
May 1979
PAMS rules, February 1993
- PM-fine regulations, July 1997
Regulatory History and Types
of Monitoring Networks
The ozone mapping system
generally makes use of already
installed monitoring networks
NAMS/SLAMS Ozone Monitors
Monitor Locations:
A NAMS '
SLAMS
How Ozone Monitoring
Networks Measure Ground-
level Ozone Concentrations:
Data is fed into "data-loggers",
which store the values for retrieval
by data acquisition platforms
Description of the
Automatic Data Transfer
System (ADTS):
The heart of the
Data Collection Center
Runs on EPA's Valley
internal UNIX server
Responsible for merging, QA/QC,
all calculations (AQI, peaks)
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Data Flow Within the ADTS
- Overview of Using ADTS:
Monitors collect ozone, record
concentrations to data-loggers
The State Host Computer (SHC)
polls the data-logger at specified
polling times
Data Flow Within the ADTS
- Overview of Using ADTS:
The SHC connects to the DCC
before end of polling window and
transfers the observations from
midnight until the polling hour
Data Flow Within the ADTS
- Overview of Using ADTS:
ADTS merges all the agency data
files into a master file, runs QA/QC
program, calculates peaks and AQI
values, interpolates for single
hours missing, generates gridded
data for Weather Service Providers,
then produces the master OBS file
Data Flow Within the ADTS
- Overview of Using ADTS:
* The master OBS file is available to
all participating agencies and is
also used by the MapGen software
to generate the ozone animations
and daily peak maps
Data Flow Within the ADTS
- Overview of Using ADTS:
Once the ozone animations have
been checked by the DCC
operations crew, they are
posted to EPA's public web site
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Setting up a host computer to
connect to the DCC/ADTS:
Must get an EPA user ID and
password
Can be set up by your local EPA
Regional Office, or by myself
Setting up a host computer to
connect to the DCC/ADTS:
SHC must either run the ESC
Ozone Mapping Module, or custom
software, to convert the data
acquisition platform's format to the
OMS format
Setting up a host computer to
connect to the DCC/ADTS:
Once the data is in the proper
format, the user ID and password
assigned by EPA are used to FTP
the data to the DCC
Shortly after the data is delivered,
it is run through ADTS and the
master OBS file is available for
your use
Troubleshooting tips:
EPA security policies mandate that
you get only three tries to log into
the DCC before your account is
locked
Be careful when experimenting
- if you use two tries, wait an hour or
two before trying again
Troubleshooting tips:
If you have trouble connecting to
the DCC, check with your local
firewall/security group to see if
your FTP access is restricted
Troubleshooting tips:
Troubleshoot in discrete segments
1) make sure you're getting the data
from the data-logger
2) make sure the data is getting
converted to OMS format
3) make sure your user ID and
password are valid by trying a
manual FTP
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Troubleshooting tips:
4) log into the DCC and see what
your data looks like
5) make sure your data looks correct
in the master OBS file
Troubleshooting tips:
The most important
troubleshooting tip:
Call us immediately if you have a
problem
With a highly automated system taking
data from nearly 50 users, things can
get overlooked and problems can
reoccur for days on end
We do not want to miss your data, so
call us if you have a problem
C-15
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APTI Workshop T-040
AQI: Ozone Monitoring,
Mapping and
Public Outreach
New Jersey's Ozone Data
Transfer System
Charles Pietarinen
New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection
New Jersey's Ozone
Data Transfer System
Key features of the system
How the system helps us provide
timely data to the public
« Public outreach activities
Lessons learned
System Overview
Field sites
Sensors
System Overview
dbu W*4»m» >IZI=3
Status Display
terminals,
printers, dial-
up modems
DEP network,
State webserver
and Internet
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Central System:
Status Display
How the System Helps
Provide Timely Data
to the Public
» Reliability - greater than 99.999%
uptime since 1991
> One minute polling cycle, while not
essential, does help
How the System Helps
Provide Timely Data
to the Public
Continuous data validation - plus
ability to "filter" data
Separate calibration files and
remote calibration capability
How the System Helps
Provide Timely Data
to the Public
» Operating systems allow scripting,
unattended file transfer, e-mail, etc.
» Custom report generator
Report scheduling
* Dial-in capability
Public Outreach Activities
AQI reports and forecasts, all
pollutants, twice daily
Toll-free recordings updated twice
daily
Touch-screen kiosks
Public Outreach Activities
» 24-hour-a-day web page and CIS
updates
» Ozone mapping starting in 1996
* E-mail notification on unhealthy
days
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Touch Screen Kiosks
Forecasts and current data on all
pollutants
Multimedia information on air
pollution, health effects, etc.
Historical air quality data
Interactive game
Used in designing web page
Air Quality Data on the Web
Target audience: general public
Provide current forecasts and air
quality data for all pollutants
Year-to-date ozones summaries
Historical ozone data
Air Quality Data on the Web
Explanatory information on the
AQI, weather and air pollution,
trends, standards, health effects,
toxics, Ozone Action Days and
more
Web Content: Current/Forecast
bi^i«iud»ei«nbfi>e £
rc;nM!uHMttac*op°iBn*»*itUFi(lKid*ei 0«»d*r ff
t[u*y«b«arep«lt
-------
Ozone Mapping on TV
Lessons Learned
System must be automated to be
sustainable
Media coverage is the most difficult
part
Make your point - know your
audience
Lessons Learned
Plan for new uses
Accept that some bad data will get
out
Ozone is only part of the story
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Making Ozone Maps
Neil Wheeler
Sonoma Technology, Inc.
Overview
The Map Generator software and its
capabilities
Obtaining the Map Generator
Using the Map Generator
Troubleshooting
The Map Generator
(MapGen)
How it works
Read station data
Interpolation to grid
Contouring
Annotation
* Animation
'Gridding"
Interpolation/Extrapolation
Inverse distance weighting
1/RN
Maximum radius of influence
« Temporally invariant
Kriging
Variogram models and correlation
Spatially and temporally invariant
MapGen
What it Produces
- Still-frame images BMP or GIF
Animations: BMP (internal) or GIF
(external)
Gridded ASCII files
C-20
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Mapping Process
Annotate
Animate
| Save (bmp/glf)^> , J
->. -J\
Save (bmp/glf) > I
J ZZZL-^ \^_J
Color Filled Contours
[l iGood
[Moderate
Unhealthy for
sensitive groups
Unhealthy
{Very Unhealthy
Requirements
133 MHz Pentium-class CPU
16 MB RAM
100 MB free space on hard disk
Windows 95/98/NT
SVGA with 24-bit color display
Obtaining MapGen
http:/envpro.ncsc.org/OMS
"Documentation"
"Register for and download
MapGen"
Obtaining MapGen
Note instructions on access via ftp
http:/envpro.ncsc.org/OMS/pub
readme.txt
.mg980611.exe (11 MB)
Updates
Using MapGen
Getting Data
Polling software OMS modules
Data Collection Center
AIRS (airs2oms)
Other converters
Peaks and 8-hour averages
. "QC" Quality Control/Merge
Processor
C-21
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Using MapGen
Read data
Select area
Select variable
Select options
Annotation
Plot/animate
MapGen Demonstration
file menu
customize menu
plot menu
animate menu
help menu
Scripting MapGen
Scripting language
Sample scripts
Scheduling
Generic dates
Troubleshooting
MGS user guide
Help Menu
http://envpro.ncsc.org/OMS
MCNC ticket system
http://envpro.ncsc.o>rg/products/
ticket.html
Enter a new ticket
Review previously entered tickets
Troubleshooting
Ozone monitoring, mapping and
public outreach: delivering real-
, time ozone information to your
community
EPA/625/R-99/007
September 1999
» http://www.epa.gov/airprogm/oar/
oaqps/airnow/cdmanual.pdf
Troubleshooting
EPA's WebBoard Conferences
http://ttnwww.rtpnc.epa.gov/ozmap/
webboard/$webb.exe/~oms
C-22
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For further information
about MapGen
Steve Fine (MCNC)
(919)248-9255
fine@ncsc.org
Neil Wheeler (Sonoma Technology,
Inc.)
(707) 665-9900
neil@sonomatech.com
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The EPA Ozone Handbook
Janice Connery
The EPA Ozone
Handbook Covers:
Ozone monitoring: System design,
siting, operation
Data collection and transfer:
System development, operation,
and maintenance
The EPA Ozone
Handbook Covers:
Ozone mapping: How to create
ozone maps
Ozone outreach program: How to
communicate ozone information to
your community.
User Input Obtained for:
Outline development
Case studies
Pilot testing of draft handbook
Requirements for
Using the CD-ROM
MAC- and PC-compatible
CD-ROM drive
Internet connection
Internet browser
(i.e., Netscape Navigator or
Microsoft Internet Explorer)
C-24
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Web Address
http://www.epa.gov/airnow
Download the handbook
Web Address
http://www.epa.gov/ttbnrmrl
Download the handbook
Order a print or CD-ROM
copy of the handbook
Seven
* EMPACT Program U.S. EPA
(8722R) 401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
* Phone: 202-564-6791
Fax: 202-656-1966
Order a copy of the
. handbook or CD-ROM
Key Steps in Creating an
Outreach Plan for .Ozone
+ Define outreach goals
Identify target audience(s)
Develop key points/ "messages"
Identify outreach products
Identify distribution avenues
Successful Ozone
Outreach Programs
Getting ozone maps on TV
Launching campaigns to
encourage coverage media during
ozone season
Creating Web sites
Successful Ozone
Outreach Programs
Working with schools
Developing "ozone action day"
programs
Operating hotlines
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North Carolina's Air
Awareness Program
Lisa Grosshandler
Key aspects of the
North Carolina Air
Awareness Program
Coalitions
Forecasting
Education
Coalitions
Site coordinators
Kick-off events
End-of-season thank you
Forecasting
Color-coded forecast issued
Forecasts are given by 3:00
Ozone Action Days are called on
predicted Orange and Red days
Education
"Ozone Zone" educational video
Air Jeopardy!
"Air Adventures" puppet show
Air Avenger Superhero
Bookstore activities
Classroom activities
Education
Exhibit booth
Contests
Media Campaign
Media Day
Coalition site-coordinator training
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Challenges for the NCAA
Quantifying the success of the
program
Keeping it fresh
C~27
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Ozone Comes
to Television!
Greg Fishel
Reasons for Showing
Ozone Data on Television
Previous involvement with Air
Awareness Program
More effective way to show public
reality of air quality problems
Promote public action to reduce
ozone concentrations
How We Get the Data
« DAQ retrieves data and sends to
EPA
EPA sends data to
Weather Central Inc.
«r We retrieve data from Weather
Central via dial-up connection
How We Display the Data
Data is transferred to an SGI
Octane for display in animation
form
Color table is created for displaying
the five different categories of air
quality
Data is displayed as an animation
with time steps of one hour
Improvements Needed
Need to reduce "observation to
display" time (currently almost 3
hours)
Need to make sure that all sensors
are polled
Need for forecast data from air
quality models
Feedback
Public genuinely interested in
seeing a type of data they have not
seen before
Some concern about threshold
level for displaying alerts
C-28
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Ozone Maps on Television
Tim Dye
Sonoma Technology, Inc.
Petaluma, CA
Tim@sonomatech.com
(707)665-9900
Purpose:
Explain how ozone maps get on TV
How you can help
Outline:
* Brief history of ozone maps on TV
How did we get ozone maps on TV
Response from Weather Service
Providers
Outline:
Example video clips
Case studies:
Sacramento, CA
Raleigh-Durham, NC
How you can help
History of the Ozone Map
and Television
1995 Maryland Department of the
Environment and the American
'Lung Association
Local mapping in Baltimore-DC area
Sent image to WRC-TV
Very labor intensive
History of the Ozone Map
and Television
1996 New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection
Local mapping in New Jersey
» Sent image to PBS News
C-29
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History of the Ozone Map
and Television
1997 Northeast/Mid-Atlantic states
(NESCAUM-MARAMA)
Sacramento, CA
Began working to get ozone maps
on TV
History of the Ozone Map
and Television
1998 EPA in cooperation with
states
20 states
Approached TV stations and
Weather Service Providers (WSPs)
Some limited TV coverage
History of the Ozone Map
and Television
1998 Sacramento, CA
Expanded mapping in Sacramento
Metropolitan area
Approached local TV stations
Good TV coverage on one station
History of the Ozone Map
and Television
1999 EPA in cooperation
with states
30 states
- Worked closely with WSPs
Improved TV coverage
How Did We Get Ozone
Maps on TV
Weather Service Providers (WSPs)
are companies that supply...
weather data,
» images,
forecast
...to TV stations, newspapers,
private industry, and the public
Why Work with WSPs
TV stations want their own
look and feel
WSPs have software/hardware
for TV standards
TV Weathercasters are busy
WSPs provide reliable
high-speed data delivery
C-30
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EPA Contacted Weather
Service Providers
1998 National Association of
Broadcasters Meeting
1998-1999 AMS Broadcaster's
meetings
Explained products (ozone
maps and city-specific forecasts)
EPA Contacted Weather
Service Providers
Five WSPs
AccuWeather
Kavouras
The Weather Channel
Weather Central
Weather Services International (WSI)
How Did We Get Ozone
Maps on TV
Provided educational
materials to WSPs
Several contact people were
available to answer questions
* 12 page pamphlet describing all
aspect of the ozone map
U S Environmental Protection Agency
Air QU&flty.Data pesolptfpns
.==>.~
E3MSJ8WSJ5-I
-
C-31
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Response From Weather
Service Providers
« Generally Favorable
WSPs want to see the demand
increase - helps their business
* Weather Central - most positive;
picked up in 1998 & 1999
* The Weather Channel - posted
ozone forecasts on web page
Response From Weather
Service Providers
WSI - ingested data; sent to
TV stations
* Kavouras - ingested data
AccuWeather - waiting to
hear from TV clients
Response From Weather
Service Providers
Some issues are preventing wide
spread distribution on TV
- Not yet nation wide
Not a year-round product
Not as real-time as TV
weathercasters desire
* Unknown demand
EXAMPLE VIDEO CLIPS
Case Studies Sacramento, Ca
and Raleigh-Durham, NC
4. Met with TV meteorologists
Educated meteorologists
Generated interest in the
ozone maps
Encouraged local TV stations
to contact WSPs
Case Studies Sacramento, Ca
and Raleigh-Durham, NC
Continued to stay in touch
Results: ozone maps get more
"air play" - dozens of times
C-32
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How Can You Help
EPA has done most of its job
WSPs have basically finished their
job
Now, it's up to state and local air
quality staff
How Can You Help
Here's what's needed:
1 Local/state staff contact TV stations
Explain that ozone maps are available
Encourage them to contact their WSP
. Explain how ozone affects health
Explain what ozone maps show
Develop relationships with TV
stations
How Can You Help
2 WSPs will see the demand
3 Greater dissemination of ozone maps
C-33
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Ozone Action Days: The
Baltimore / Washington
D.C. Metropolitan Region's
ENDZONE Program
Tad Aburn
Program Manager
Air Quality Planning Program
Maryland Department of the
Environment
Ozone Action Days: The
Baltimore / Washington
D.C. Metropolitan Region's
ENDZONE Program
Randy Mosier
Planner
Air Quality Planning Program
Maryland Department of the
Environment
Background - ENDZONE's
Integrated Approach
1993 ~ Forecasting methodology
tested
* 1994 Ozone Pollution Map
piloted/Color-coded forecasting
begins in Baltimore area
1995 - Ozone Pollution Map airs,
color-coded forecasting spreads to
DC, ENDZONE Partners begins
Background - ENDZONE's
Integrated Approach
1996 -- Ozone Action Days
program starts
1997 - Ozone Map spreads
throughout the Northeast, "Code
Red" press coverage explodes
Background - ENDZONE's
Integrated Approach
1998 ~ Media campaign, kids
program, Ozone Mapping extends
throughout most of the nation
4. 1999 - Ozone Action Days /
ENDZONE partnership increases
significantly, forecasting
methodology continues to improve
AtTION
DAYS
OZONE POLLUTION MAP
OZONE FORECASTING
C-34
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ENDZONE
Partners Objectives
Inform the public and businesses
about air quality issues
Promote and advance behavioral
changes that will improve air
quality
ENDZONE
Partners Objectives
Increase the number of
member/partners in both the
ENDZONE Partners and the
Ozone Action Days Program
ENDZONE
Partners Objectives
Coordinating concerted media
campaigns in the
Baltimore/Washington D.C.
metropolitan region
Increasing public outreach
Improving ozone forecasting
efforts
PARTNERS
OZ«HE flCTIOH DOTS
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ENDZONE Partners/ Ozone
Action Days Strategies
Focus on the four areas of
voluntary behavior change that will
contribute most to avoiding ozone
episodes, at the least cost
ENDZONE Partners/ Ozone
Action Days Strategies
light duty vehicles (including
refueling)
" non-industrial painting
lawn and garden equipment
consumer aerosol products
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ENDZONE Partners/ Ozone
Action Days Strategies
Continue to alert all segments of
the population about the health
risks of ground-level ozone
Increase partnership for both
Ozone Action Days and ENDZONE
Work towards transitioning the
program to an 8-hour standard for
ground-level ozone
Recruiting and Working
with ENDZONE Partners
Membership open to any individual
or organization willing to help
stimulate voluntary actions
Recruiting for ENDZONE Partners
done mainly by Board of Directors
Recruiting and Working
with ENDZONE Partners
Recruiting for Ozone Action Days
Partners performed by staff from
Maryland Department of the
Environment, Baltimore
Metropolitan Council, Metropolitan
Washington Council of
Governments and Commuter
Connections
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Recruiting and Working
with ENDZONE Partners
Membership Benefits
Members receive daily ozone
forecasts either via fax or email, and
notification when air quality levels
exceed federal standards
Recruiting and Working
with ENDZONE Partners
Informational brochures describing
the Ozone Action Days Program,
Air Quality Forecast Guide, and
health tips and pollution prevention
activities are provided - flags,
forecast display charts and other
promotional materials are also
distributed to increase awareness
Recruiting and Working
with ENDZONE Partners
Staff work individually with each
member providing support for
developing and maintaining an
Ozone Action Days program
Ozone Forecasting
and Outreach
Ozone Forecasting began in
Baltimore during 1994 -expanded
to Washington in 1995
Dissemination of the color-coded
ozone forecasts is the most under-
appreciated element of MDE's and
ENDZONE's integrated approach
Ozone Forecasting
and Outreach
"Code Red" air quality has become
a message that is understood
across the Baltimore / Washington
media market
Ozone Forecasting
and Outreach
Has generated more media
coverage than all other outreach
efforts combined
Results in routine daily media
coverage of ozone air quality
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Ozone Forecasting
and Outreach
Often results in the message being
heard repeatedly throughout the
day on radio and TV stations
Has driven explosive coverage
during severe ozone events
Ozone Forecasting
and Outreach
Forecast determined by
meteorologists from Maryland
Department of the Environment,
University of Maryland, Virginia
Department of Environmental
Quality and the Washington
Council of Governments
Ozone Forecasting
and Outreach
Regression models and scientific
expertise used to determine
forecast
Forecast set to color codes to
indicate different levels of severity
Ozone Forecasting
and Outreach
Faxed to local media and
businesses who disseminated the
message to the public and
employees
Ozone Forecasting
and Outreach
Forecasts distributed to over 50
media outlets - local television,
radio stations, newspapers, state
road signs and the National
Weather Service
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Ozone Pollution
Mapping in Maryland
Third piece of comprehensive
effort in 1995
Software package developed for
local television stations to show
the formation and movement of
ozone pollution
Ozone Pollution
Mapping in Maryland
Originally conceptualized
(and piloted) by WIDE and the
American Lung Association of
Maryland
Collected data from monitors in
Maryland, D.C., Virginia,
Pennsylvania and Delaware
Ozone Pollution
Mapping in Maryland
Map aired on television stations in
Baltimore and Washington in 1995
- In 1996, New Jersey public
television began airing map
Ozone Pollution
Mapping in Maryland
Daily viewed by 860,000 people in
the metropolitan area
Now part of EPA/AIRNOW Ozone
Mapping effort
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Successes in Our Outreach
and Education Efforts
Daily Forecasts have made "Code
Red" air quality a common phrase
and have people talking about air
quality all the time.
Successes in Our Outreach
and Education Efforts
Ozone Action Days F'rogram grows
steadily throughout the years
1996-91 Partners
1997-200 + Partners
1998 - 260 + Partners
1999 - 300 + Partners
Successes in Our Outreach
and Education Efforts
ENDZONE Partnership paid
membership increases as well
1997 - 27 Partners
1998 - 42 Partners
« 1999 - 52 Partners
Successes in Our Outreach
and Education Efforts
Survey results have shown
7 out of 10 people across the region
have heard the "Code Red" message
90% of the public in the Baltimore
and Washington region see air
quality as a top environmental
problem
Successes in Our Outreach
and Education Efforts
More than 40% believe that they can
Individually make a difference
25% reported taking voluntary
actions to help reduce ground-level
ozone during "Code Red" alerts
Successes in Our Outreach
and Education Efforts
Less direct (but equally important)
success
Several programs that originally
generated significant public
opposition are now on the ground
and running smoothly
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Lessons Learned
Start by getting state and local
government agencies on board
Develop a strong relationship with
local media outlets
Work closely with regulated
industries who may be more
willing to be seen participating
in a positive environmental activity
Lessons Learned
Disseminate daily color coded
forecasts to the media
It will end up being the cornerstone
of your program
It's simple and inexpensive
Lessons Learned
Research businesses in your area
to determine good candidates for
an Ozone Action Days program
(i.e. businesses with...)
large number of employees
work processes which could be
episodically curbed
Lessons Learned
staff who could potentially
telecommute and carpool
dynamic staff
Have plenty of informational
material on hand during site visits
Take advantage of and promote
the AIRNOW Ozone Map
Get a head start on summer
C-4 1 &U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 2000 S50-I01/2002S
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