The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality has declared an Ozone Alert day for Wednesday, July 1st in the Tulsa area.
The DEQ says persons with lung or heart disease should be aware that increased pollution may cause them to experience adverse health effects. Ozone affects people differently, learn your limits. Symptoms include chest pain, coughing, sneezing, nausea, headache and pulmonary congestion. Active children, adults and especially people with respiratory disease such as asthma should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
Some tips from the DEQ on Ozone Alert! Days:
- Leave your car at home. Walk, bike, carpool, ride the bus or telecommute.
- Avoid long idle times. Walk in rather than drive thru.
- Postpone refueling. Wait until evening or not at all.
- Postpone mowing and using other gas-powered lawn tools.
- Postpone errands. Do them another day.
The DEQ also recommends taking action all Summer long:
- Drive less. Leave your car at home one day a week. Try walking, biking, carpooling, riding the bus or telecommuting. Log your miles at http://www.green-traveler.org
- Avoid long idle time. Turn off your car after 30 seconds when not in traffic.
- Refuel in the evening and don’t top off the tank.
- Do your garden chores gasoline-free. Avoid gas-powered lawn tools until evening.
