The Ozone Action Days Program is a community-based effort to improve regional air quality in Northeast Ohio. The program combines air quality analysis with a coordinated publicity campaign to help individuals limit the formation of ground-level ozone. Since automobile exhaust is a major factor in ozone formation, individuals can make an important contribution to this effort. Acurrent Ozone Action Day Program update is available in Acrobat. The program is sponsored by the Northeast Ohio Ozone Action Task Force, which comprises representatives from local governments, health agencies, environmental organizations and the private sector.
Ozone is created when volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides meet sunlight.
The program's air quality experts collect readings from eleven regional monitors, examine weather data and develop daily ozone level forecasts. High ozone levels typically occur on hot, windless summer days. If forecasters expect ozone levels to exceed federal standards, the Task Force declares an Ozone Action Day. These actions, such as riding the bus to work, combining trips or delaying lawn mowing, can significantly affect ozone formation. These partners agree to use ozone-reducing techniques on Ozone Action Days.