Shifting Emissions Can Help Clean the Air!

The District is in extreme non-attainment for ozone, one of the main components of smog. Ozone is formed when it reacts with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight. With the Valley’s abundance of sunshine, ozone formation is a significant problem during the months of March thru October.

As a business, there are a number of practices you may implement to help reduce emissions from March through October:

• Delay projects such as painting that utilize products containing VOCs to later in the year, such as November through February.
• If a project like painting can not be delayed, do not work on the project on days when the ozone values are above an AQI of 120.
• Postpone maintenance or cleaning activities that utilize combustion equipment, such as engines and boilers, to November through February
• If a project that utilizes combustion equipment can’t be delayed, do not work on the project on days when the ozone values are above an AQI of 120.
• If you have a business or a portion of your business that has the ability to choose times when you operate combustion equipment or utilize VOC-containing material, consider scheduling work so as to minimize the formation of ozone.

Please include air-quality impacts in your business decisions, especially when planning projects that will emit air contaminants. Try to schedule activities at times when these activities will minimize negative air quality impacts.