Saving Our Health From Smog
In response, Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action together with a coalition of local governments and Environmental Defense have prepared a comprehensive ozone reduction plan called, The Path Forward, which promises major cuts in ozone forming pollution and promises to keep the Denver metro area safe in years to come.
Ozone is a corrosive gas. Children, seniors, those with asthma and other respiratory conditions, and even active adults are most at risk. The effects of ozone have been likened to getting a sunburn in your lungs, and can cause long-term injury and even premature death.
Ozone forms when emissions of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds mix and react with sunlight. These ozone forming pollutants are spewed by cars and trucks, lawnmowers, power plants, oil and gas drilling, and many other activities. Any ozone reduction needs to target all sources.
Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action, together with Environmental Defense and several local governments, have developed The Path Forward. The comprehensive ozone reduction plan calls on efforts that have been proven effective in other States. It calls on the Regional Air Quality Council to adopt 27 measures to reduce ozone, including:
- Adopting of a Colorado clean car program
-Strengthening pollution limits for older cars and trucks
- Reducing smog forming pollution from oil and gas drilling (Weld County north of Denver contains more oil and gas wells than any other Colorado County)
- Cutting smog forming pollution from coal burning power plants (like the one to the right) by 54%
- Adopting an Employer Trip Reduction Program for medium and large employers
- Anti-idling regulations
- Voluntary green certification for lawn care companies that choose to use electric, or low emission gasoline, lawn and garden equipment
- Lower volatility fuels or reformulated gasoline
The benefits of reducing ozone are enormous. The The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that for every dollar spent on reducing ozone, we reap $8.50 in return because of decreased health care costs and increased productivity. It's a win-win situation.
Support The Path Forward!
The Path Forward takes cutting smog forming pollution, but it also takes your support. If you're interested in signing on in support or in getting your neighborhood association, your civic organization, your elected officials, or your favorite nonprofit behind The Path Forward, please e-mail us at rmcleanair@gmail.com. Together, we can keep the Denver metro area safe from smog.
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