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Ut£3/_fe^c Ontario May 1999 Doing yourpart Smog alerts and the OPS What you can do to help • reschedule lawn mowing, using pesticides combat smog and herbicides and leaf blowing Smog is a combination of airborne pollutants • make sure equipment is turned off when- that affect our health and our natural envi- ever it's not in use ronment. Most harmful are ground-level • restrict use of gasoline-powered equipment Smog is made up of ozone and fine airborne particles that can • avoid using volatile organic compound airborne pollutants, enter our lungs. These contaminants come (VOC) products such as paints, solvents or the most harmful of from vehicles and other gasoline or diesel- cleaners which areground- powered machinery, factories, chemical • postpone refuelling government vehicles level ozone and fine sprays, oil-based paints, airborne dust and • avoid open burning airborneparticles. other sources. High levels ofsmog Checklist for all members of the OPS can cause coughing, Make it a top priority wheezing and tight- The Ministry of the Environment takes the Here are just a few things you can do to ness ofthe chest. lead in the day-to-day job of protecting the improve the air we breathe and to protect Elderlypeople, chil- environment. Among its initiatives, it has yourself. dheraerntaannddpreeospplierawtiotrhy wdehveenloupneadccaesppteacbiallyphriogghralemvetlos wofargnroruensdid-ents At work: level ozone are expected. When ministry fore- • consider teleconferencing, instead of problems areparticu- travelling, to meetings casts indicate occurrences of ground-level larly vulnerable. ozone in excess of 80 parts per billion (ppb) • take public transit, or better yet, walk or All ofus can take over a wide geographic area, the ministry cycle to work issues a smog alert. • if you use a car, don't travel alone. Try the steps to protect our- In co-operation with Management Board's government's car pool matching program: dsealyvsesaonndstomoigmparloevrte dGorienegn eWvoerrkyptlhaicnge iPtrcoagnratmo,rtehdeucmeineimsitsrsyiiosns • caavlolid1-t8r0af0f-ic56c-oSngHeAsRtEiofnor information the quality of the air that create smog from government buildings • work at home if it's feasible we breathe. in the Greater Toronto Area. Whether at At home: work or at home, the less energy we use, and the more energy efficient we are, the • turn down the air conditioning better it will be for the air we breathe. • avoid letting your car, or any other On smog alert days there are very specific engine, idle for long periods actions we can take. • restrict your use of gasoline-powered equipment Checklist for facilities managers • leave mowing the lawn for another day on smog alert days • don't use oil-based products such as paints, • reduce air conditioning in government solvents or cleaners if you can avoid them. buildings by three degrees Celsius They contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which contribute to smoo. Ministry of the Environment Green Tips • avoid strenuous exercise in the heat of For further information the day contact: • stay indoors if you can - a cool, moist Public Information Centre atmosphere is best Ministry of the Environment • don't use the barbecue 135 St. Clair Ave. West Finding solutions to our environmental prob- Toronto, Ontario M4V 1P5 lems takes a concerted and active effort by Telephone: (416) 325-4000 or all of us. But with each of us taking personal responsibility and setting an example, we toll free at 1-800-565-4923. can make a difference. Internet: www.ene.gov.on.ca ©MiQnueiesn'tsrPyrinotefrltorhOentarEion.v1i99r9onment iPnrcilnutdeidngen1500%%porsetcy-ccloendsupmaeprerfibre PIBS:3762E 1M - 05 - 99