During the warm days of summer, these man-made gases heat up and cause the Ground Level Ozone which can cause a number of health problems.

What is Particulate Matter?
The Air Pollution called Particulate Matter is becoming more of a concern in Central Kentucky and other parts of the United States. The US Environmental Protection Agency has implemented a more stringent standard for the measurement of particulate matter called PM 2.5. Please use the following link to learn Important Information Concerning Particulate Matter Pollution.

What is Ground Level Ozone?
Ground Level Ozone is formed when sunlight and warm temperatures cause a chemical reaction between Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and oxides of nitrogen. The primary sources of these two chemicals: Automobile Exhaust and Industrial Emissions.

Why is this Ozone Dangerous?
1. It directly impacts our health, with a high risk to the elderly, young children, and people with asthma and other lung ailments.
2. Healthy adults can be affected, too.
3. An air pollution index over 100 can cause shortness of breath, chest pain in people with heart problems, and aggravate heart and lung disease.
4. As the pollution index increases, so do the number of people affected.

What can we do?
Privately owned vehicles; cars, trucks, SUV's, etc. are a primary cause of GROUND LEVEL OZONE AIR POLLUTION:
1. Citizens can help by conserving electricity, refueling vehicles after dark, and avoiding driving whenever possible.
2. Take a bus, rideshare, ride a bike, walk, or at best - slow down. Driving at 55 instead of 65 reduces pollution by 10 percent!
3. Besides vehicular restrictions, a major way to lower ozone is to limit the solar radiation by planting shade trees. Position trees to cover sidewalks, line streets and shade roof tops. Businesses can plant trees in parking lots.
4. Make room for more garden areas in yards. The less grass means less lawn mowing and less need for emissions of lawn mowers.