Press Release
RESULTS OF 2008 REGIONAL AIR QUALITY SURVEY SHOW CONTINUED INCREASE IN LEVELS OF PUBLIC AWARENESS OF AIR QUALITY ISSUES AND GROWING CONCERNS OVER THE EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON AREA BUSINESSES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ST. LOUIS, MO., February 16, 2009... Following a year that was highlighted by a significant increase in levels of public awareness of air quality issues, a recent survey conducted on behalf of the American Lung Association (ALA) and The St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership (The Partnership) shows another dramatic rise in air quality awareness among St. Louis residents during 2008. The survey, which was conducted last fall through random interviews of residents from eight counties in the bi-state region, also pointed to concerns over the effects of air pollution on area businesses among residents in the St. Louis area.
Residents were asked their opinions on a variety of air quality- related topics, including awareness of poor air quality days, knowledge and sources of air quality information and methods of improving air quality. As in years past, poor air quality continued to top the list of the most serious environmental issues facing our area. However, this year’s survey demonstrated a seven percent increase in the number of respondents who indicated that poor air quality was a “very or moderately” serious problem for the area. This year’s jump marked the second significant increase in a row, with a five percent increase being reported in 2007. In addition, more than 73 percent of those surveyed noted that they were “very or somewhat” familiar with daily air quality information, a slight increase since 2007. More than half of respondents also noted that they are “always” or “usually” aware when a red or orange day is declared in the area.
According to the survey, familiarity of terms associated with pollution prevention also increased in 2008. Specifically, familiarity with the terms “carpooling”/ “ride sharing” and “using mass transit” was at it’s highest level in 10 years, coming in at 85.8 percent and 81.7 percent, respectively. In addition, familiarity levels with terms such as “flex time” and “trip planning” also increased significantly, reaching 59 percent and 69 percent, respectively.
The survey also demonstrated increased awareness of actions designed to improve the region’s air quality. Actions such as carpooling to work, riding the bus or MetroLink and bringing lunch to work all increased slightly, while the number of those who stated they would perform routine maintenance on their vehicles and not use charcoal lighting fluid while barbecuing to help improve air quality jumped over eight percent and six percent, respectively. New options to make the home more energy-efficient and to work from home/telecommute were also added to the survey this year, and more than 90 percent of respondents stated that they felt a more energy-efficient home could help improve air quality, while 38 percent cited telecommuting as a viable alternative they’d be willing to explore.
Respondents also expressed increased willingness to change their daily routines in light of a red or orange air quality day. Of those surveyed, 48 percent said they would change their routines “a lot or some” if they heard a red or orange day was in the forecast, which represented a seven percent increase over 2007, and the highest percentage response in nine years.
“We are once again encouraged by these numbers, because they demonstrate that our efforts to raise awareness about air quality concerns and encourage behaviors to improve air quality are working,” said Susannah Fuchs, Senior Director of Environmental Health for the American Lung Association of the Central States and spokesperson for The Partnership. “Despite the fact that air quality conditions were a bit better in 2008, the survey results continue to show that area residents understand that air quality remains an important concern, and that individuals are becoming increasingly more willing to transform their awareness into action in light of a forecasted poor air quality day.”
The 2008 survey also revealed concerns over the effects of air pollution on area businesses. Nearly 79 percent of respondents noted that potential increased regulations on businesses in the region were a “very or somewhat serious” effect of air pollution, which represented an almost 8 percent jump over last year. In addition, more than 63 percent of respondents stated that the threat of residents and businesses leaving the region for areas with cleaner air was a “very or somewhat serious” effect. Concerns regarding the negative health effects of air pollution on children and the elderly also topped the list.
“We’ll continue to review these survey results closely and use them to guide our outreach efforts for the coming year, all with the goal of keeping people and businesses in our region engaged in the air quality effort so they will do their part to help clear the air and help us all breathe easier,” added Fuchs.
For more information on the 2008 American Lung Association Regional Air Quality Survey, call Susannah Fuchs at
(314) 645-5505, ext. 1007.
The St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership was formed in 1995, led by the American Lung Association of the Central States, St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association, East-West Gateway Council of Governments, Washington University and others, to increase awareness of regional air quality issues and to encourage activities to reduce air pollution emissions. To learn more about The Partnership, call the American Lung Association at 1-800-LUNG-USA or visit www.cleanair-stlouis.com.
