Press Release
2011 AIR QUALITY FORECASTING SEASON KICKS OFF AS REGION CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE WITH FAILING GRADES FOR OZONE POLLUTION
Results of latest State of the Air Report affirm the need for area residents to do their part to help improve air quality
ST. LOUIS, MO., May 19, 2011... Another year has delivered another round of failing grades for ozone pollution in the St. Louis region and more satisfactory marks for particle pollution. According to the American Lung Association’s latest State of the Air report, the region now ranks 34th in the nation for high ozone days and 17th in the country for year-round particle pollution. The news comes as daily air quality forecasting resumes and the region prepares to settle into the summer months when air quality conditions are often at their worst. As a result, the St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership is once again stepping up its efforts to show the public how making the choice to live greener can help reduce the emissions that lead to poor air quality.
“The way we commute has one of the most profound effects on our air quality, and with gas prices now at an all-time high, there’s no better time for area residents to explore transit and carpooling and vanpooling options in the area,” noted Susannah Fuchs, Senior Director of Environmental Health for the American Lung Association of the Plains-Gulf Region and spokesperson for The Partnership. “The less we commute alone, the more we improve air quality, so steps like combining errands into one trip, telecommuting and walking to lunch instead of driving can also make a big difference. The simple act of greening the commute takes cars off area roads, along with the related emissions, and can also be a big money-saver with gas prices now exceeding $4 a gallon in some areas.”
The Partnership also encourages commuters to help curb emissions by planning their trips using the Missouri Department of Transportation’s (MoDOT) newly revamped Gateway Guide website at www.gatewayguide.com or its 511 travel information telephone number. Both services provide real-time travel information designed to help commuters avoid traffic tie-ups, highway construction zones and the related unnecessary idling which results in the release of increased emissions into the air.
In addition to changing the way we commute, the many green lifestyle changes we choose to make can also positively impact air quality and improve lung health in the region. These changes include efforts to conserve energy, recycle, reduce waste and reuse items.
“In today’s world, more and more people are choosing to live greener, and we’re thrilled about that, but as environmental consciousness continues to grow, we want people to understand the connection between air quality and going green,” noted Fuchs. “Simple actions such as turning off the lights when leaving the room, choosing to recycle drink containers, utilizing reusable cups and bags or changing incandescent light bulbs to super-efficient ones all play an important role in clearing the air and improving lung health in the region, and we want people to know what a difference these small steps can make.”
Area residents had the chance to get additional information on alternative commuting options and other ways to go green and do their share for cleaner air at The Partnership’s seventh-annual Clean Air Festival. Held May 19 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Kiener Plaza in Downtown St. Louis, the event served as the official kickoff of summer air quality forecasting.
Returning exhibitors included the American Lung Association of the Plains-Gulf Region, Ameren Pure Power, Amtrak, the Asthma & Allergy Foundation, the Environmental Protection Agency, Grace Hill, Laclede Gas, Local Harvest Grocery, Madison County Transit, Metro, the Missouri Department of Transportation, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, RideFinders, the St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership, St. Louis Regional Clean Cities, Trailnet, the U.S. Green Building Council and WeCar. This year’s event also featured appearances from several new organizations, including the City of St. Louis Air Pollution Control Team, the St. Louis County Air Pollution Control Program, Microgrid Energy and White Caps, Green Collars. During the event, attendees also had the chance to swap their plastic bags and bottles for a more eco-friendly reusable bag and drinking cup.
“With the St. Louis region earning failing grades for ozone for a third straight year, it’s clear that air pollution remains a critical concern, and it truly is a problem that affects all of us, especially children, the elderly and the many individuals who suffer from respiratory disease,” said Fuchs. “This is why it’s more important than ever for the public to get involved in the clean air effort, and there is no better time than now to get started.”
To learn more, sign up for daily air quality forecasts or make arrangements for your business to become an official member of The Partnership so you can help your employees go green and do their share for cleaner air at home, at work and on the road, log on to www.cleanair-stlouis.com or call (314) 645-5505 ext. 1007. To access the American Lung Association’s 2011 State of the Air report, visit www.stateoftheair.org.
The St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership was formed in 1995, led by the American Lung Association, 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.
