While gains may still be made in these areas, a significant portion of the region's air pollution is caused by ordinary people doing ordinary things. Heartland Sky provides simple consumer strategies, like the SKY TIPS to help individuals make responsible clean-air choices. Local clean-air planning and programs are coordinated through MARCs Air Quality Forum. The Air Quality Forum is composed of representatives from local cities and counties, air quality agencies, public health organizations, businesses, and the general public. Kansas City's air is susceptible to air pollution, scientifically known as ground-level ozone on hot, calm summer days.
Ozone is a toxic gas which is formed by a reaction between air pollutants and sunlight.
While the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere protects you from the sun's most damaging rays, ozone near the ground is a health hazard. Ground-level ozone affects the respiratory system and can be especially harmful to the very young, the very old, and people with chronic lung disease. Although we have some control over pollutants, we have no control over the heat and sunlight that turn pollutants into ozone. In the Kansas City area, consumers are responsible for a significant percentage of the air pollutants that lead to smog. These pollutants come from our cars, lawn mowers, boats and the oil-based paints and cleaning products we use at home.