How to protect yourself on an ozone action day

Ozone Action Days, often referred to as Code Orange, indicate unhealthy air quality, especially for sensitive groups such as children, the elderly and people with respiratory diseases conditions. These days are caused by high concentrations of harmful ground-level ozone, which can cause various health problems.

Here you can find out everything about these days, their causes, how you can protect yourself and help prevent them.

What are the reasons for the Ozone Action Days?

Ozone action days take place when the concentration of ground-level ozone reaches levels that are harmful to health. levels. Ground-level ozone is not released directly into the air, but is created by a chemical Reaction between nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in sunlight. The main sources include vehicle exhaust fumes, industrial plants, petrol fumes when refuelling stations and storage tanks, as well as chemical solvents used in paints, coatings and other products. High temperatures, dry air and sunlight accelerate these chemical reactions and make these days more common in summer.

How to protect yourself

How to protect yourself in one day with the Code Orange code marking:

• Limit outdoor activities: At highest ozone levels, you should avoid strenuous Outdoor activities, especially during the hours of strongest sunlight between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
• Stay indoors: Stay indoors as much as possible, especially if you have asthma or other Respiratory diseases.
• Monitor symptoms: Watch for symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, or difficulty Breathe. If symptoms worsen, seek medical advice.
• Stay informed: Follow air quality forecasts and warnings via local news or Web pages.

How to prevent ozone action days

Although we cannot prevent the Ozone Action Days through individual measures, together we can reduce the pollutants that contribute to them. Here’s how you can help:

• Use public transport or other active modes of transport: Reduce vehicle emissions by using public Transportation, carpooling, cycling or walking if possible.
• Limit vehicle idling: Turn off your engine when parking to reduce emissions.
• Maintain your vehicle: Have your car serviced regularly to ensure it runs efficiently and fewer pollutants.
• Reduce energy consumption: Use energy efficient appliances and turn off lights and Electronics when not in use to reduce the strain on power grids.
• Avoid using gas-powered devices: Use electric or manual lawn equipment instead of petrol-powered models.
• Recharge your batteries in the evening: Fill up your car after sunset to minimize fuel consumption Vapors during the day when sunlight can trigger ozone formation.

By taking these precautions and making conscious decisions, we can protect our health and help to clean air. Remember, every action counts when it comes to improving air quality and Protecting our environment.