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Air Quality News and Links This page is updated periodically, and contains air quality news, documents and links to other web sites of interest. Although all links to documents and other websites have been checked before placing them on this website, we are not responsible for the veracity of information provided by others. In some instances, information placed on the worldwide web will become out-of-date, and no longer accurate or relevant. When researching topics, it can be insightful to note the date of publication or the last time a web page was updated. Most documents will open automatically in your browser. However, some documents are stored in Adobe Reader (PDF) format. Click here
to obtain the latest free version of Adobe Reader NEWSWORTHY LINKS: Air Quality News – Earth Day 2008 is on April 22nd. To learn how you can participate click on the following links: Metroplan
EarthDay'08 news release Air Quality Report to the Metroplan Board (March 26, 2008) (980KB, PDF format) NRDC News Release - New Study: Smog Poses Greater Health Risk Because of Global Warming (September 13, 2007). Global warming study forecasts more “Bad Air” days for Southern, Eastern U.S. cities, including Little Rock. Air
Quality report to the Metroplan Board (February, 2007) (624
Kb, PDF format). EPA News Release - Revised Priorities for VOC and HAP Limits (11-18-2005) A Big Tree Grows In Brooklyn (July 9, 2003) While studying the impact of urban pollutants on trees, scientists make a surprising discovery. EPA News
Release - D.C. Circuit Court Upholds Clean Air Standards (March 26,
2002) Clean Cities, Fuels & Sustainable Energy News – Clean Cities/Arkansas Clean Transportation (ACT) Partnership Newsletters: Metroplan
New Release - Tommy Foltz to again head Clean Cities Coalition (August
1, 2007) Central Arkansas Clean Cities Program (June 7, 2002). The U.S. Department of Energy renewed the memorandum of understanding with the Central Arkansas Clean Cities Coalition for another five year period with Metroplan as the host agency (375 Kb, PDF format).
DOCUMENTS & LINKS: Air Quality & Weather Conditions: Click here to sign up for Ozone Action Day email notifications. Subscribe to EPA’s free EnviroFlash service and receive email notifications of Ozone Action Days and AQI forecasts. Click here for the Daily Air Quality Index in Central Arkansas. ADEQ issues the daily AQI for the worst air pollutant (ozone or particulates) usually by 9 a.m. The daily AQI is issued year round. Click here for the Daily Ozone Forecast in Central Arkansas. During the ozone season (May thru September), ADEQ issues the daily ozone forecast (usually by 2:00 p.m.). EPA's AIR Now website features animated ozone maps, which are updated hourly as well as archived. Air quality forecasts and real-time air quality information for over 100 U.S. cities are provided, and much more. National Weather Service Little Rock Forecast Office. This website posts the current weather hazards, conditions, radar imagery, and forecasts for most of Arkansas, as well as related information and links. National Weather Service Southern Region Headquarters provides links to national weather hazards and Doppler radars, as well as all the NWS Homepages nationwide. NOAA's clickable maps show where and when ozone plumes are likely to develop around the United States. Both static and animated maps are available showing 1-hour or 8-hour ozone concentrations using the AQI colors. These ozone forecast maps are updated twice daily. Notifications of Ozone Action Days in Central Arkansas are faxed to participating public and private organizations, usually by 3:00 p.m. on the day before an Ozone Action Day. Organizations wishing to be faxed Ozone Action Day notifications should download the Notification Request Form (?? Kb, PDF format) and fax the completed form to 501-372-8060. Organizations and individuals with Internet access are encouraged to subscribe to EnviroFlash. Air Quality & Health Education: Air Quality Index (AQI): AQI: A Guide to Air Quality and Your Health (799 Kb, PDF document) - This booklet explains EPA's Air Quality Index and the health effects of major air pollutants. Air Quality Guide for Ozone This EPA webpage explains the AQI, provides what you should know about ozone, and ways you can help reduce ozone air pollution. AQI for Kids This EPA webpage provides air quality information and links suitable for ages 7 thru 10 or simplified even further for kindergarten and first grade. Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics. AANMA is a national nonprofit organization that provides information and assistance to those who suffer from allergies and asthma. There is a minimum $10 contribution to become a member. American Lung Association. The ALA is the oldest voluntary health organization in the United States. Founded in 1904 to fight tuberculosis, ALA today fights lung disease in all its forms, with special emphasis on asthma, tobacco control and environmental health. The ALA of Arkansas decided to change its name to the Arkansas Respiratory Health Association in 2007. Arkansas Respiratory Health Association (formerly ALA of Arkansas) is a volunteer organization working to promote lung health, keep kids from smoking and help patients with asthma, especially children. The ARHA participates in the Central Arkansas Ozone Action Days program. Arkansas
Department of Health Home Page. The ADH
participates in the Central Arkansas Ozone Action Days program. Ozone
inquiries should email ozone@arkansas.gov. Drive Clean Across Texas is the nation's first statewide public outreach and public education campaign designed to improve air quality. EPA's 8-Hour Ground-level Ozone Designations and related information is posted here. EPA's Greenhouse Gas Calculator converts gas-related savings into familiar terms. It all adds up to cleaner air is a unique public education and partnership-building initiative developed collaboratively by several federal agencies to help regional, state, and community efforts to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. Improving Air Quality in Your Community. This EPA website features dozens of projects that local communities can do to help make their air cleaner and easier to breathe. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) can have significant health effects. Studies of human exposure to air pollutants indicate that indoor levels of pollutants may be 2-5 times, and occasionally more than 100 times, higher than outdoor levels. Topics include asthma, second-hand smoke and radon. Ozone Air Cleaners Claims of ozone generator manufactures have been examined by EPA, which advises the public to use proven methods of controlling indoor air pollution. Ozone and Your Health: This short, colorful pamphlet tells who is at risk from exposure to ozone, what health effects are caused by ozone, and simple measures that can be taken to reduce health risk (451 Kb, PDF format). Smog - Who Does it Hurt? This 8-page booklet provides more detailed information than "Ozone and Your Health" about ozone health effects and how to avoid them (808 Kb, PDF format). Listen to a 30-second Ozone Action Days public service announcement (116 Kb, MP3 format). Watch a video of an Ozone Awareness Public Service Announcement. (4.4 Mb, WMV format).
Arkansas State Employees Association Vanpool Program is open to non-state employees. Boating Pollution Prevention Tips. Marine engines are among the highest contributors of ozone precursor emissions in many areas of the country. You can be more environmentally friendly by following a few tips when using your boat. Calculate Your Commute. This site can help you calculate the annual savings of commuting by public transit, carpool or bike/walk versus driving alone. Central Arkansas Rideshare provides car pool matching and other commuter information. Central Arkansas Transit provides fixed-route, demand responsive and other specialized public transportation services in Pulaski County. The CAT website provides bus route and schedule information, as well as news about the River Rail Streetcar Project. CAT is participating in the Ozone Action Days program. Energy Star is a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products including new homes, most of the buildings sector, residential heating and cooling equipment, major appliances, office equipment, lighting, consumer electronics, and more. On-Board Diagnostics FAQ. OBD on light-duty cars and trucks beginning with the 1994 model year can detect problems that may not be noticeable upon visual inspection. By detecting these emission-related failures and alerting the driver to the need for potential repair, your vehicle will be properly repaired before emissions become a problem. RadTown USA - Explore the interactive, virtual community of houses, schools, laser light shows, construction equipment, flying planes, and moving trains. Each place in RadTown helps you learn about radiation sources or radiation- treated items you might find there. Your Car and Clean Air: What You Can Do to Reduce Pollution. In addition to better air quality, there are additional benefits - your car will last longer and you will save money (67 Kb, PDF format). Your Yard
and Clean Air. Prevent
pollution in your own backyard by adopting practices that will help
protect the environment now and in the future (16 Kb, PDF format). Clean Cities, Fuels & Sustainable Energy: Arkansas Energy Office webpage provides useful links and contact information. Clean Automotive Technology - Modeling, Testing, and Research by the EPA (including alternative fuels and hydraulics). Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy This DOE website has information on a variety of energy technologies including biomass, buildings, geothermal, hydrogen & fuel cells, solar, vehicles, weatherization, wind and hydropower. Energy Savers website provides information to help you save energy in your home, business, vehicle, or industrial plant. Information is also provided on how to make your existing home more energy efficient through the Partnerships for Home Energy Efficiency. Official Site of the National Biodiesel Board Alternative Fuel Stations. This DOE website contains several tools, two of which are the Station Locator and the Route Mapper, which display both public and private refueling stations for alternative fuel vehicles throughout the United States. National Idle-Reduction Campaign This DOE website provides information on Clean School Bus USA's newly launched National Idle-Reduction Campaign. Unnecessary school bus idling pollutes the air, wastes fuel, and causes excess engine wear. Clean Cities Program. This DOE program supports public-private partnerships that deploy alternative fuel vehicles and build supporting alternative fuel infrastructure. The Central Arkansas Clean Cities Coalition changed its name in 2007 to Arkansas Clean Transportation Partnership and went statewide. The Partnership is participating in the Ozone Action Days program. For additional information, refer to the Clean Cities, Fuels & Sustainable Energy News section above. EPA Green Vehicle Guide. Use this guide to choose the cleanest and most fuel-efficient vehicle that meets your needs. Fuel Economy Use this DOE website to find and compare new and used cars and trucks based on their gas mileage, emissions, pollution ratings, and safety. Also, find the cheapest gas, tips to save gas, links to hybrid-electric cars and advanced technology, and much more. Another Fuel Economy website. (You can never have too many) Learn how EPA determines fuel economy estimates and compare fuel economy and emission estimates to determine which car or light-truck is right for you. Hybrid Vehicles: Find and compare hybrids and other advanced technology vehicles. Hybrid Electric & Fuel Cell Vehicles. DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory conducts research on hybrid-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and fuel cell vehicles and works to move advanced vehicle technologies to the marketplace. Numerous links to the expanding list of hybrid vehicles. Tips to Save Gas and Improve Mileage (20 Kb, PDF format). US Gas
Price Watch will
search for current fuel prices available at gas stations by any zip
code or street address you input. Related Links and General Reference: Arkansas Environmental Federation. The AEF is a 501c(3) non-profit education association founded in 1967with more than 400 members, the vast majority of them businesses and industries that deal with environmental, safety, and health regulations on a day-to-day basis. The AEF is participating in the Ozone Action Days program. Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department is a participant in the Ozone Action Days program and provides funding for the Ozone Action Days awareness program. EARTHJUSTICE, founded in 1971 by the Sierra Club, is a nonprofit law firm for the environment. Metroplan is a council of local governments and the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for Central Arkansas. Metroplan provides a common vision and framework for a livable, sustainable, and vibrant metropolitan area, while assisting community leaders in achieving that vision. In developing short and long range transportation plans for Central Arkansas, Metroplan considers, develops, and supports plans and projects that protect our natural environment while balancing the quality growth of our communities. Metroplan is host agency for the Clean Cities/Arkansas Clean Transportation Partnership, staffs the Central Arkansas Rideshare program, and is a principal sponsor of the Ozone Action Days program. National Service Center for Environmental Publications maintains and distributes EPA publications in hardcopy and digital formats. The hardcopy inventory includes over 7,000 titles and over 26,000 digital documents that may be downloaded free of charge. National Weather Service Forecast Office (Little Rock) maintains a webpage in alliance with Ozone Action Days and displays information on category levels and links to related pages. Ozone Layer Depletion information and links. Individual Actions to Protect the Ozone Layer. The Ultraviolet Index. Learn how to protect yourself from UV radiation and much more. United States Air Quality Trends is EPA's "report card" on the status of our nation's air quality and air pollutant emissions. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Home Page features current information and links to the EPA newsroom, as well as the many EPA offices and programs. U.S EPA Office of Air and Radiation. OAR is concerned with pollution prevention and energy efficiency, indoor and outdoor air quality, industrial air pollution, pollution from vehicles and engines, radon, acid rain, stratospheric ozone depletion, climate change, and radiation protection. U.S. EPA
Region 6 (Dallas) Air Programs. EPA
Region 6 (South Central) serves Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico,
Oklahoma, Texas and 65 Tribes. The Region 6 Air Programs Division web
page has information and links to a variety of air programs. WHO ARE WE? Q. Who coordinates Central Arkansas Ozone Action Days? A. Ozone Action Days is a public awareness program of Metroplan in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, Arkansas Department of Health, and Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. Other program participants include the Arkansas Clean Transportation Partnership, Arkansas Energy Office, Arkansas Environmental Federation, Arkansas Respiratory Health Association, Central Arkansas Transit Authority, City of Little Rock, Entergy Services, Federal Highway Administration, the National Weather Service, and Pulaski County.
The objectives of the program are to increase public awareness of the health risks associated with ozone exposure and to encourage voluntary emissions reduction actions to help keep the region in attainment of federal air quality standards. Funding is provided in part through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program and Metroplan member governments. The program is focused on four Central Arkansas counties: Pulaski, Saline, Faulkner and Lonoke. The Central Arkansas Ozone Action Days Steering Committee is the forum for coordinating the ozone awareness and education activities of participating organizations. Steering Committee membership is limited to participating organizations. All meetings of the Steering Committee are open to the public, and local news media are routinely notified in advance. At present, the following organizations are members of the Ozone Action Days Steering Committee: · Arkansas Clean Transportation Partnership (Clean Cities Coalition) · Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality · Arkansas Department of Health · Arkansas Energy Office · Arkansas Environmental Federation, Inc. · Arkansas Respiratory Health Association · Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department · Central Arkansas Transit Authority · City of Little Rock · Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods, Inc. (Metroplan's OAD consultant) · Entergy Services, Inc. · Federal Highway Administration - Arkansas Division · Metroplan · National Weather Service - North Little Rock Office · Pulaski County
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