(ATLANTA, GA — 04.25.11)

Air Quality Awareness Week 2011 will take place May 2-6.  The Clean Air Campaign will work to educate Georgia students, citizens and employers about the health effects of air pollution and actions they can take to improve the air we breathe.  The nonprofit organization will also work with the Georgia Department of Education to bring clean air lesson plans and activities to classrooms across the state.

The onset of warmer weather in Georgia, combined with sunshine and stagnant winds, create ideal conditions for ground-level ozone to form, a main component of smog.  Air Quality Awareness Week is a reminder that Georgia residents and businesses can take actions to make a difference in the air we breathe.

“Air quality in Georgia is improving, and the state is making progress,” said Kevin Green, executive director of The Clean Air Campaign.  “But there is more work to be done.  Breathing is not optional, and with new, health-based information, air quality standards will likely become more stringent later this year.”

Air pollution contributes to health problems for children, the elderly, asthmatics and even healthy adults.  Exposure to ground-level ozone can irritate and inflame the airways, and particle pollution poses risks to the cardiac system.  The primary target is the respiratory system, but air pollution also targets the heart and the immune system.

Methods are in place to measure and forecast ozone and particle pollution levels.  The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) measures air pollution levels throughout the state and issues daily air quality forecasts for Atlanta, Macon and Columbus.  Air quality is also reported using the Air Quality Index, a color-coded scale that provides easy-to-understand information, including any cautionary health information.  Pollution levels are reported as Good (green), Moderate (yellow), Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (orange), Unhealthy (red) or Very Unhealthy (purple).

To protect public health, The Clean Air Campaign distributes Smog Alerts via email when the next day’s air quality is projected by EPD to be unhealthy.  Air Quality Awareness Week offers another reason for Georgians to visit CleanAirCampaign.org and sign up to receive Smog Alerts.
Vehicle exhaust is a leading contributor to ground-level ozone pollution in Georgia.  The Clean Air Campaign works with employers and commuters to reduce vehicle emissions through programs such as carpooling, vanpooling, riding transit, teleworking, walking and cycling.  These strategies offer affordable commute options that save commuters money, reduce traffic congestion and keep pollution out of the air.

Through its Clean Air Schools program, The Clean Air Campaign will also provide more than 320 participating schools the opportunity to learn about the air we breathe and hold clean air activities during Air Quality Awareness Week.  Schools will use the week to teach air quality lesson plans provided by The Clean Air Campaign and the Georgia Department of Education.

For more on air quality, visit CleanAirCampaign.org.  For exclusive information throughout Air Quality Awareness Week, follow @CleanAirGa on Twitter and find The Clean Air Campaign on Facebook at Facebook.com/CleanAirCampaign.