If you mow your lawn with an old, gas-powered lawn mower, you are part of the air pollution problem now plaguing the metro area. Old lawnmowers, weed trimmers and leaf blowers manufactured before 1997, when emissions standards were tightened, contribute nearly 10 percent of the ground-level ozone blanketing the area.
And if you didn’t like the burning eyes, shortness of breath and warnings not to exercise outside during recent weeks, worse may still lie ahead. The Denver area’s ozone levels are typically worst in July, because it’s often the hottest, sunniest month. It’s the combination of sunlight and gas emissions that causes ozone, according to Sara O’Keefe, communications manager for the Regional Air Quality Council. The RAQC, formed in 1989, is the lead air quality planning agency for the seven counties that make up the metro area.
Most people understand that ozone, breathed into the lungs, is harmful to health. It’s especially harmful to the young and the elderly, and it can cause symptoms or trigger attacks in people with respiratory infections and conditions such as asthma. But even healthy adults working or exercising outside may experience symptoms on high- ozone days.
In addition to health problems, elevated ozone levels can have other serious consequences. For example, this summer, if the metro area violates ozone levels set by the Environmental Protection Agency, Denver could be declared a “serious non-attainment area,” and much-needed federal transportation funds could be withheld. Being sanctioned by the EPA would also make the transportation planning process more difficult, O’Keefe says, resulting in delays in getting transportation plans approved and “making the bureaucratic process even more bureaucratic.”
The Denver area used to compete with Los Angeles and parts of Texas for the worst air pollution in the U.S., violating five out of six federal air quality standards. But in 2002, Denver became the first major city in the U.S. to come into compliance with federal air quality standards.
Then in 2003, the area violated ozone standards once again. Fearing being labeled “noncompliant,” state and metro-area elected leaders entered into an agreement with the EPA to meet new, more stringent standards by 2007.
Because 2007 is a critical year, the RAQC is taking steps to educate the public about ways to reduce ozone. They are urging people to “Pledge to Chill.” Taking the pledge is simple: You can go online to add your name to the list of those who commit to be ozone-aware this summer. More than 700 people signed the pledge last year; the RAQC hopes that 3,000 will sign this summer.
Those who take the pledge agree to:
Emissions from cars and trucks are a big source of emissions in the metro area, so vehicle maintenance is “hugely important,” according to O’Keefe. Drivers are urged to change their car’s oil regularly, keep tires inflated (which increases gas mileage by 3 percent) and ensure that air filters are clean. Using public transportation, biking or car-pooling to work at least one day a week also helps.
Part of the RAQC’s education effort includes providing an incentive designed to help metro-area residents make sure their lawn equipment is not part of the problem. The online Mow Down Pollution program provides rebates up to $50 for people who buy earth-friendly lawn equipment. (The rebates, which last only until the end of this month, and pledge can both be found at.)
We’re all breathing the same air, all suffer the effects of ozone, and should all care about keeping ozone levels low. Getting rid of old, polluting lawn equipment is the right thing to do, and a rebate helps make replacement more financially palatable. And taking the pledge is simple, easy and free.
Let’s all do our part this summer. The consequences for noncompliance are too severe to ignore.
Susan Thornton (smthornton@aol.com) served 16 years on the Littleton City Council, including eight years as mayor.
