^ Air Quality
Awareness Week
Event Planning Kit
April 2007
EPA-456-B-07-001
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Welcome
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May marks the beginning of ozone season. It's a perfect time to promote the use of air quality forecasts and public
awareness of how air quality can affect individual's health. To help increase this awareness, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are encouraging people to
"Be Air Aware: Keep an Eye on the AQJ" as part of Air Quality Awareness Week, April 30 - May 4, 2007.
We know many of you are already planning air quality awareness events for this week. If you're not, you may want to
consider doing so. Air Quality Awareness Week is a great opportunity to urge people to check air quality forecasts,
learn about what causes poor air quality, and determine what they can do to help make our air cleaner - not just
during ozone season, but year round.
We've developed the attached Event Planning Kit to make your job easier! This Kit provides information and materials
that you can use to plan and execute small or large scale outreach in your state, local, and tribal areas. Use these
resources to conduct activities that will reduce your community's exposure to outdoor pollution. These materials are
designed to be customized, so you can tailor them to fit the needs of your initiative.
We are planning to promote state and local Air Quality Awareness Week events on the AIRNow web site, and we
would love to include your efforts. Please visit www.airnow.gov/airaware for help in planning and publicizing your Air
Quality Awareness events and to submit your event details
Your outreach efforts play a critical role in increasing Americans awareness of air quality issues and how people can
take action to reduce pollution and decrease their exposure to unhealthy air. We wish you the best as you plan your
air quality awareness event and we look forward to learning about your success.
Contents
1. How You Can Promote Air Quality Awareness
2. Successful Air Quality Awareness Event Planning
3. Media Outreach Tips
4. Example Templates
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How You Can Promote
Air Quality Awareness
Air Quality Awareness Week 2007 has been designated as April 30 - May 4. This timeframe corresponds with the
beginning of ozone season and makes for a great opportunity to engage your community in air quality awareness
activities. Air quality awareness is more than just understanding the Air Quality Index (AQI) forecast that utilizes the
color code system. Air quality awareness includes education about the air in your specific area and what associated
health effects might be a concern for your community. Understanding the importance of the air quality forecasts
and their direct relation to health impacts will make the difference between allowing children outside to play during
Code Orange air quality days or reducing exposure by simply rescheduling an activity for a time when air quality is
expected to be better.
For help in planning activities in your community, EPA has developed some suggestions for engaging specific state,
local, and tribal stakeholders and building partnerships with other advocates in your area. Do not feel limited by what
is listed in this kit - many state and local agencies already hold great events. This kit is meant to complement those
efforts and provide new ideas where possible.
Engaging Your Community
Host a Community Health Fair or other public events that feature air quality awareness
information (i.e., local spring fairs, parades, celebrations). Coordinate with your local health department,
local health care providers, and other health-focused groups, like the American Lung Association, to organize
exhibits, education sessions, and distribute materials. Invite your mayor or other officials to issue proclamations or
conduct press events promoting the importance of air quality awareness.
Partner with Schools to provide air quality awareness education to students and staff. Contact
local high school and junior high school science and health departments to arrange for special presentations about
the importance of air quality awareness. Use this opportunity to provide a real-time demonstration of how students
can find the current AQI for their areas. EPA's www.airnow.gov web site has two interactive web tools about the air
quality index that are designed for ages 4-6 and 7-10. Parents and teachers can also download ideas for educational
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activities and materials to complement their curriculum. You can also recommend that schools create AQI flags that
correspond with Air Quality Index color-coded system. The appropriate colored flag can be raised each morning so
students, teachers, and parents can see what type of air quality day is forecasted. Check out www.valleyair.org for
an example of a California-based flag program.
Hold an Air Quality Awareness Poster Contest. Encourage local schools, daycares, and after-school
programs to participate in a creative contest commemorating Air Quality Awareness Week. Partner with local
businesses or non-profit groups to co-sponsor activities, participant on the review panel, and offer incentives or
prizes for the chosen winners.
Ask Your Mayor or City Council to Issue an Air Quality Awareness Proclamation. Have May declared
as "Air Quality Awareness Week" or "Air Quality Action Month" in your community and encourage your community
to use the Air Quality Index. A sample proclamation that you can customize is included in your event planning kit on
page 15.
Promote Air Quality Awareness at Local Sporting Events. Organize a display near a concession stand or
other publicly accessible area to distribute educational materials. This is a great educational opportunity if the event
is held in an outdoor facility. You could have the ticket monitoring staff distribute materials as fans enter the stadium.
Work with the sporting venue to utilize air quality awareness radio public service announcements.
Engage Other Community Constituencies. Branching out from "traditional" media outlets will help you more
effectively promote air quality awareness. Childcare centers, churches, community centers, even local beauty salons
and barbershops can be effective venues for reaching out to your community. Contact local civic and community
leaders and encourage them to promote air quality awareness to their groups. Provide them with educational
materials to distribute and offer to make presentations to demonstrate where to get the current AQI forecast.
Display Air Quality Awareness Materials in Public Areas. Public gathering places are prime locations
to distribute educational materials about air quality awareness. These places could include libraries, museums,
community centers, malls, park stations, local coffee shops, transit centers, or museums. Be sure to check back
with these locations frequently to determine if they need additional materials.
Coordinate Efforts with Health-related Institutions. Many local hospitals and healthcare providers offer
extended learning opportunities that focus on preventive health measures or increased awareness of a specific
diagnosis. Because children, people with lung disease, older adults, and people with heart disease tend to be more
vulnerable to outdoor pollution, it would be beneficial for people to learn more about the effects air quality may have
on their health if they fall into one of these sensitive groups. Offer to make short presentations about the AQI and the
importance of being aware of the effects outdoor air pollution can have on an individual's health. Provide hospitals,
nursing homes, and retirement communities with educational materials about the AQI and invite them to participate in
any events you may have planned for recognizing Air Quality Awareness Week in your community.
Fostering Local Partnerships
Connect with Local Businesses. Participating in environmental advocacy is usually good for business. Visit
local businesses and educate them on the importance of air quality awareness. You can ask to provide a brief
overview of general air quality awareness at a staff meeting or just offer to provide some materials for display
and distribution. Encourage businesses associated with outdoor activities such as organized outdoor sporting
competitions, to be aware of air quality forecasts and how they play a role in the activity they are promoting. Another
group of businesses to target may be those listed as "Best Workplaces for Commuters" (www.bwc.gov). These
businesses have already shown environmental leadership and may be looking for ways to expand their commuter
friendly programs.
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Coordinate with Your Local Utilities, Most local utility providers have dedicated resources for environmental
education and outreach. Ask your local utility providers (i.e., gas, electric, water) to include an air quality awareness
insert in their monthly billing statement mailings. This is a cost effective, easy way to reach a vast majority of your
community.
Organize an Air Quality Awareness Coalition in Your Community. There are most likely several
individuals and organizations in your community that have an interest in health topics. Host an open forum for
interested individuals to attend and encourage participants to join a coalition that focuses and promotes air quality
awareness in your community. Each member will have unique ideas and suggestions for further engaging your
community around the issues of air quality awareness and they will all have different connection and access to
various groups in your community as well. Collaborating together as a group will be a very effective way to promote
the benefits of air quality awareness in your community.
Coordinate with Local Realtors and Home Associations. Another way to reach families in your community
can be through home owner association newsletters or local grassroots publications. Engaging your local real-
estate firms can be a way for you to also educate them on the air quality in the area. They may have clients who are
sensitive to air quality due to their health conditions, so being knowledgeable about the air quality issues in their area
will help them better serve their customers.
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Successful Air Quality Awareness
Event Planning:
In Three Easy Steps
Planning and executing a successful air quality awareness event will be instrumental in educating your community
about the importance of good air quality and the benefits of using the AQI forecasting tool. This event will motivate
people to make changes in their daily scheduled activities and be more aware of how they contribute to poor air
quality.
Step 1: The Plan
The first step is to develop an activity plan and enlist help. Advance planning is key and the sooner you begin your
planning, the more likely you will be able to secure the people and resources you need to have it be a success. Your
activity plan should include the following:
/ Action steps. What it will take to conduct this event? You will need to delegate responsibilities of activities and
clearly define who will help and what they will do.
S Determine a timeline. Most activities will revolve around the event date, but you
what tasks can be done way in advance versus last minute.
be able to determine
' Determine the resources needed. Does this include funding, materials, human capital? Secure your resources
and be creative with filling in resource gaps.
In planning your air quality awareness event, you may want to consider the following:
Start Realistically. It is better to have a successful small event than an unsuccessful large event. Know your
available resources and the time you have available so you can plan an event that will maximize those resources.
Strategic planning should help you decide the best size event(s) for your community.
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Meet Your Audience's Needs, When planning your event(s), keep in mind who you are trying to reach, how they
like to receive information, and who they most trust on issues related to health. Locate your activity in a place that
is convenient for your target audience and consider how best to promote it. Take into consideration accessibility of
public transportation, construction zones, etc.
Identify Key Speakers and Participants Early. If your event requires an expert speaker or local official (e.g.
a mayor or local celebrity), the earlier you can secure your event on their calendar, the better. Talk with members of
your target audience to determine who they trust for their health information. You are more likely to get participants
for your events if they are excited about the speakers. It is also a good idea to identify alternate speakers.
Promote Your Event Broadly As part of your planning, determine how you will publicize your event. Consider
the outlets (media and other) and methods that are the most known to and trusted by your target audience.
Determine what lead time outlets need in order to publicize your event. And remember, not everyone gets their
information from the same source, so consider a variety of outlets for promoting your events.
Visit www.airnow.gov/airaware to submit and publicize your event on the Air Quality Awareness web site or fax in the
event submittal form located on page 17 of this kit.
Make Your Event Interactive. Depending on your event, be sure to allow plenty of time for your participants to
ask questions and to interact with your speakers and other experts. If your activity includes information on how to
use the Air Quality Awareness Index, be sure to have materials available that reference the web site where people
can access this forecasting tool. Events can also be a good opportunity to form alliances and get commitments from
partners for year-round air quality outreach and education initiatives.
Have Plenty of Materials On-Hand. From health fairs to press events, it is critical that you have enough
materials available to meet your audience's needs. Be sure to anticipate how many people will attend your event and
to have materials on-hand for everyone. People are more likely to attend events if they know they may receive free
materials and giveaways. Publicize the free resources you will have at your event.
Step 2: Plan Implementation:
Commemorating Air Quality Awareness Week
On the day of your event be proud for taking the initiative to help your community and further educate your friends,
neighbors, and colleagues about the importance of good air quality. You will be surprised on the number of people
that say, "Wow, I didn't know that."
Keep in mind that increasing awareness and motivating people to take action takes time. Creating increased
awareness about air quality and outdoor pollution will not happen overnight. Each event you plan or initiative you
engage in will bring you closer to your goal of safeguarding your community's health and further educating your
community about the importance of good air quality and their role in safeguarding our air.
Step 3. Tracking Your Results
What Makes for a Successful Event?
It depends on how you measure success. Was the weather favorable? Did people attend? Were all your materials
exhausted? Do you have new relationships with other air quality advocates that can help you achieve your continued
outreach goals? Success may be in the eye of the beholder. Measuring results is an important part of the learning
process for future events and activities around air quality awareness. It also is a means to measure your success.
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Measuring results will provide a clear means of validating the success of your event and providing lessons learned
for future activities. You can track your success simply by administering a simple questionnaire or survey to
participants. This can be done as people leave your event or through email, if you have contact information for
participants. Other measurable outcomes include:
How many individuals attended your event?
How many members of the press attended and reported on your event? How much media coverage and what
type did you receive?
How many materials were distributed?
How many follow up requests were received requesting additional information or requests for informal
presentations to smaller groups?
Did you notice an increase in web site visits to your organization's site?
These general questions can be utilized to determine short-term results and also for you to gain a better perspective
on the success of your event or activity. In order to measure long-term results, more in-depth data will need to be
gathered to determine what behavioral changes may have occurred as a result of your event. For instance, perhaps
the local hospital treated fewer asthma cases during Code Orange air quality days, which are unhealthy for sensitive
groups.
EPA wants to hear about your event and successful activities that you organized to promote Air Quality Awareness
Week. We may even use your event as a case study example for other cities and states as they engage in other air
quality awareness activities.
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Media Outreach Tips
Getting media attention for your event or any of your efforts recognizing Air Quality Awareness Week will add to the
success of your outreach initiative. Developing and executing a successful media outreach plan will also increase
awareness and participation in your event.
The following guidelines are meant to serve as tips on how you can capture the media's attention for your air
quality awareness event and community advocacy. If your organization has a public information officer, be sure to
coordinate with that person before beginning your promotional efforts.
Get Reporters and Photographers to Attend: Promote Your Event
Here are a few steps to take to ensure you get the coverage you deserve.
Hold the Date. This step is not a must - but it can be helpful, especially if you know your event is occurring during
a busy time for your community.
Send a brief note to reporters and assignment editors you plan to invite to the event letting
them know you have an event scheduled. A hold the date note might look like this:
Subject: For your tickler file: Hold the date for Air Quality event 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 1.
In the body of your message, note that your agency is planning an event to kick off air quality awareness
week and that details will follow. Include your contact information.
Media Advisory
Timeline: One week prior to your event
• When you have details locked in, use a media advisory to alert reporters about your event; follow up with a news
release that delivers your message. The difference? A media advisory is a bare-bones heads up to reporters that
your event is going to take place; a news release delivers your news from the event and may include a quote,
along with telephone numbers and Internet addresses so the public can find out more.
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• If you are faxing your advisory or release, put it on your news release template. If you don't have a news release
template, create one, using your logo or letterhead. If you are delivering your advisory or release by e-mail, also
include a text-only version, so reporters don't have to spend time opening a large .pdf file.
• Your media advisory should include the following:
Contact information: Make it easy for reporters to reach you. Near the top of the page (but before the
body of your release) type CONTACT: followed by your name, telephone numbers, and e-mail address.
A headline about the event. This is not the place where you deliver your message. This is where you give
reporters the basics to get them to attend. A headline might be something like: John Doe to Speak at Air
Quality Event May 5.
Basics about your event. Keep this tight. Follow the 5 "Ws" format.
WHAT: 5K Run for Healthy Lungs
WHEN: 11 a.m. Tuesday May 5, 2007
WHERE: Old Post Office 11 N. Main Street, City
WHY: Here you have a chance to hit your message. But do it briefly.
WHO: Include info on who will be speaking. Just names and titles are appropriate.
You may want to note visuals - doctors administering tests, employees checking air quality monitors
- whatever you have that will make TV more likely to come.
You also can ask for RSVPs. It's not a guarantee that reporters will let you know they're planning to attend,
but it can help. This is an important step if your event is somewhere where security is tight.
• Send your advisory out up to five days (no more) before the event. Send it to reporters who cover your issues
and to the following:
Newspapers: Send to the city editor or assignment editor. This person keeps track of what's going on and
assigns reporters to cover events.
Television stations: Send to the assignment desk.
Radio stations: Send to the news director.
Colleges and Universtities: Send to public affairs office.
Not sure who these people are or don't have their e-mail addresses or fax numbers? Call and ask.
Note: These people generally do not handle public service announcements.
Phone Calls The Day Before the Event
• The day before the event, touch base with the people to whom you sent your advisory. Make your call polite and
brief, noting that you are trying to get a head count for the next day, and ask whether they are planning to come,
or if they need more information.
• Don't be upset if the person you are speaking with doesn't recall getting the information. The person on the
assignment desk on a Wednesday morning may not be the same person who was on the desk the previous
Thursday afternoon. Just tell them you'll send it again - and do so right away.
The Morning of the Event
• Depending on the reaction you got when you called the day before your event, you may need to make a quick
round of calls the morning of your event. Use your judgment. If you do call, just, and make quick calls just
touching base to remind assignment and new editors that the event is taking place.
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Issue a Press Release
Timeline: When your event takes place
• You can extend the reach of your message by issuing a press release when your event takes place.
• Keep your press release brief. Reporters and editors don't have time to read through lots of text. Your press
release should be no longer than one page and should focus on your key message and the call to action for your
community.
s As you did with your media advisory, use your news release template. Include your contact information near
the top of the page but before the body of your release. Also include the following information - usually on
the side of the page opposite your contact information:
"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE" in capital letters, followed by the date.
s Write an attention-grabbing headline. "Agency Holds Air Quality Event" is not an attention grabbing headline.
A headline like, "Pollution and Asthma Attacks in City Decline" or "AQI forecasts protected health of 100,000
residents in 2006" will signal a reporter or editor that your release contains actual news.
s A strong but short lead paragraph - no more than 25 words. The first paragraph should grab the reader's
attention and deliver your key message. Write the release in "inverted pyramid" form - conclusion first,
followed by supporting details. Be sure your release addresses the five "Ws" (who, what, when, where, and
why). The sample release on [insert specific page number here] can serve as a guide for creating your own.
s Include a quote from your keynote speaker or the head of your agency. The quote should stand alone and
not repeat information you've written elsewhere. One quote is usually enough.
s Be sure to include a "For More Information" line at the bottom of your release. This can include your web site,
air quality hotline, or other number you want citizens to call for additional air quality information.
s Signal that your release is complete by typing either - 30 - or ####, centered on the bottom line.
Other Ways to Further Your Message: Develop a Media Kit.
Make it easy for a reporter to write your story. Put together a media kit with a full range of information about local air
quality awareness initiatives, events in your area, the health effects related to poor air quality, and how the public can
be part of the solution when it comes to making the air cleaner. A media kit can include the following materials:
• Your press release (example page 16)
• Brief background and contact information for your speakers
• Speakers' talking points, if you have them.
• An experts list - people available to talk about air quality issues, along with contact information
• Proclamation (example page 15)
• Calendar of events for your area (Note: the EPA's web site www.airnow/airaware will be tracking national events
on a state by state basis)
• Your contact information (be sure to include your business card)
• Web site addresses as resources
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An official proclamation can be used to attract media attention when the Governor, Mayor, or
other state or local official endorses observance of Air Quality Awareness Week.
Send notice of the official proclamation to local media outlets, post it on bulletin boards in local schools, businesses,
real-estate offices, and other relevant venues to attract attention for air quality awareness issues during the official
Air Quality Awareness Week.
First, write a letter to a governmental official requesting that he or she issue a proclamation. In addition to the
request letter, you should provide a sample proclamation for the official to use, along with relevant information about
air quality awareness and its associated health risks, as well as how individuals can be a part of the solution for
improving our air quality.
A sample letter and proclamation that you can tailor for your community's needs is included in this Kit. Note that
your request should be sent to the official's office about one month prior to Air Quality Awareness Week. This allows
enough time to coordinate an official signing ceremony where you can attract media attention.
To Initiate a Broader Campaign About Air Quality Awareness:
Conduct a Media Campaign. In addition to promoting air quality awareness through public service
announcement (PSA) placement, contact your local media and ask them to run stories about outdoor air pollution
and the benefits of using the AQI. Provide the media with educational materials and other background information
and, offer spokespeople for interviews.
Identify Key Spokespeople in Your Community that can serve as recognizable and respected "faces" for
your outdoor air quality awareness campaign. You can engage local politicians, celebrities, scientists, or others that
people in your community recognize and trust. Use your spokespeople for media interviews and to publicize your air
quality awareness event or other activities the community has organized to recognize Air Quality Awareness Week.
Encourage your spokespeople to publicly talk about their usage of the air quality forecasts or how the air quality
forecasting information has helped them make better informed decisions about being active outside during certain
times of the day.
Develop a Compelling Local Story that will put a face on air quality awareness in your community. Invite the
media to talk with people who have used the Air Quality Index and how it has made a difference in their health by
being more aware of the effects outdoor air pollution has on their health. Don't forget to provide information on how
the public can access and utilize the AQI forecasts or the EnviroFlash notification system.
Promote Air Quality Awareness Week Public Service Announcements. EPA has a variety of print, radio,
and television PSAs available at no cost to educate your community about the dangers of outdoor air pollutions and
the importance of air quality awareness. Delivering PSAs personally to your local media outlets is an effective way
to reach large portions of your community, and often stations will run PSAs for free! Keep in mind that people in your
community may speak languages other than English, so be sure to use EPA's bi-lingual materials and to reach out
to media outlets that serve non-English speaking audiences. Visit www.airnow.gov/airaware to download air quality
awareness radio PSAs and review other outreach materials, such as an Air Quality Index promotional poster.
Write a Letter to the Editor of your local paper(s) to educate your community about the health risks associated
with poor outdoor air, the benefits of using the Air Quality Index, what people can do to protect themselves from
outdoor pollution, and how citizens can make lifestyle changes to help improve the air quality.
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Example Templates
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Sample Letter to Government Official
[Date]
[Honorific (i.e. "The Honorable") and full name of official]
[Title of official]
[Address of official]
Dear [Honorific and name]:
I am writing to request that you proclaim the month of May "Air Quality Awareness Month" in [county/city/town
and/or state]. Your proclamation would be in conjunction with other cities and states around the country who,
in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are taking the lead in observing Air Quality
Awareness Week. Last year [area] had [X #] of Code Orange air quality days which caused individuals who are
sensitive to outdoor pollution to curtail their outdoor activities. This information is available from your state air quality
office.
During Air Quality Awareness Week, [organization name], in conjunction with EPA, will strengthen our efforts to
educate the public about the importance of understanding the Air Quality Index and the health impacts of air quality in
our community. As part of our education efforts we will: [insert activities].
I have enclosed a fact sheet that will give you more information about the dangers of outdoor air pollution, using the
Air Quality Index, and how individual's can make a difference in helping make the air cleaner. I have also taken the
liberty of drafting a sample proclamation for your consideration. We would be truly honored to have your support.
Please contact me if you require any additional information. Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Title]
[Phone number and/or email address]
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Sample Proclamation
[County Executive's, Mayor's, Governor's] Proclamation In Support of
Air Quality Awareness Week in [County, City, and/or State]
WHEREAS, poor outdoor air quality can threaten the health of our citizens;
WHEREAS, it is estimated that one out of every three people in the United States is at a higher risk of experiencing
problems from ground-level ozone, a contributor to poor air quality,
WHEREAS, children, people with lung disease, older adults, and people with heart disease tend to be more vulnerable
to outdoor pollution, it would be beneficial for people to learn more about the effects air quality may have on their
health if they fall into one of these sensitive groups.
WHEREAS, utilizing the Air Quality Index is simple and free of cost;
WHEREAS, knowledge of the Air Quality Index can help protect our communities health;
WHEREAS, [your organization] and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are supporting efforts to encourage
Americans to utilize the Air Quality Index, understand what causes poor air quality, and make strides to improve the
overall outdoor air quality:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, [name], [title] of [county, city, and/or state] do hereby proclaim:
May [Dates], [Year]
Official Air Quality Awareness Week/Month
In [County, City, and/or State]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this [date] day of [month], in the year [year].
Signature of Official
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Sample Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Robert McCann
May 12, 2006
(517) 214-7397
Air Quality Awareness Week to
Promote Clean Living Choices
The Department of Environmental Quality and CATA Clean Commute Options have partnered together to
promote National Air Quality Awareness Week in Mid-Michigan. The week of May 15-19, was designated to help
educate the public about air quality concerns.
Michigan residents are encouraged to become "aware about air" during the week, and each day will focus on
a different outdoor air quality topic:
Monday - What is Air Pollution?
Tuesday - What Affects My Air Quality?
Wednesday - Keeping Your Lungs and Heart Safe
Thursday - How Air Quality Forecasts Are Made (and how they help)
Friday - What You Can Do To Make The Air Cleaner.
Throughout the year there are days when air quality could pose potential health risks such as asthma and
lung problems in certain populations due to weather conditions, high ozone levels, or other impairments. Air Quality
Awareness Week aims to educate people across Michigan about what causes outdoor air pollution, what people can
do to protect their health when air quality is poor, and how they can reduce pollution by making simple choices in
their daily lives.
While Air Quality Awareness Week is a national effort, state programs provide Michigan residents with
information and choices specific to our state and our communities.
DEQ Director Steven E. Chester encourages Michigan residents to sign-up for EnviroFlash, the DEQ's free
service that allows anyone to receive air quality forecasts for the following day via e-mail or text message. Users
can customize the service to notify them when certain air quality forecasts are expected, and EnviroFlash also alerts
them to Ozone Action! Days.
"Air Quality Awareness Week will assist Michiganians in making informed decisions about their health, and
educate them as to the importance of improving our air quality," said Director Chester.
In Mid-Michigan, transportation choices play a significant role in the quality of the air. CATA Clean Commute
Options program is encouraging Mid-Michigan residents to make clean air choices by choosing alternatives to driving
alone. These choices include options such as taking the bus, car or vanpooling, biking, or walking. Simple steps to
take on days when ground-level ozone levels are high include not mowing your lawn, don't idle your engine, and fuel
your tank after 5:00pm.
"Becoming aware of the air quality problem is the first step. Individuals taking actions to improve the air
quality is the ultimate goal. Don't wait to participate in improving the quality of the air in the tri county area," said
Debbie Alexander, CATA's Assistant Executive Director.
More information about air quality levels and clean air choices is available from the following Websites:
National www.airnow.gov: Michigan www.michigan.gov/deqair:
Lansing Area www.cata.org.
#####
Editor's note: DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.
"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"
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Event Submittal Form
Everyone's efforts are bolstered when we can share ideas with others and learn about events. For this reason, if
you are planning an awareness event (even if it is not the first week of ozone season), we hope that you will submit
information about your event to EPA. Also on this form you have the option of choosing whether you want EPA to
promote your event on the web site.
To submit this information for your event, please fax this form to (919) 541-0242
Agency/Organization
Agency Name
Agency Contact Person
Phone
E-mail
Web site
Event Information
Name
Date
Time
Location
Event Web site
Event Contact Name and Phone Number
Brief Description of Event
Please promote our event by posting it on the Air Quality Awareness Week Web site.
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