Georgia Environmental Protection Division Georgia Smog Alerts Pamela Earl May 7, 2008 Georgia 2008...

Georgia Environmental Protection Division

Georgia Smog Alerts

Pamela Earl

May 7, 2008

Georgia

2008

Climate Change Summit


Smog Alerts:

• Their evolution (How’d we get here?)

• Lessons learned (What worked and what didn’t?)

• Next steps (Where do we go from here?)


Evolution

• EPD monitoring since early 80s– Technology not as good– No continuous monitors– Data retrieved manually once a day– Staff issues “Pollution Standard Index”

based on previous day’s measurement– Faxed to recipients on list, and anyone

else who wanted it….


Evolution

• 1990 – Under CAA, 13-county metro Atlanta area designated as “serious” nonattainment

• 1991 – ISTEA and CMAQ came along; provided funding for education/outreach for transportation and air quality

• 1994 – Several orgs started talking about need for public education; Clean Air Campaign was formed


Evolution

• 1996 – Olympics! – Concerns about traffic and air quality

impacts to games and athletes– Official launch of Clean Air Campaign– Stakeholders recognized need for timely

air quality information– Ozone Advisory Board was developed


Evolution

Ozone Advisory Board• Recognized need to be proactive, not

reactive• Issued advisories when air quality was

expected to be bad• Better technology; continuous data retrieved• May 1- September 30• Clean Air Campaign would provide

distribution of alerts• News media targeted


Evolution

• 1996 – Not much attention on Ozone Alerts during Olympics, due to better air quality – 68% accuracy of forecasting team in predictions of next

day ozone levels– Clean Air Campaign launched mass advertising

campaign

• 1997 – Governor issues Executive Order to state agencies asking for 20% reduction in SOV trips– EPD creates Voluntary Ozone Action Program– Program issues “Ozone Action Day” alerts and urges

public to take action on those days, such as carpooling, putting off lawn mowing, etc.

– GDOT highway signs help get the word out


Evolution

• 1998 – VOAP evolves to become Partnership for a Smog-Free Georgia

• 1998-1999 – PSG issues “Smog Alerts”• 2000 to Present

– Public gets used to AQI colors– No longer “episodic” but year-round– Addition of PM2.5 forecasting, tweaks in messages– Variety of ways to get alerts out to the public– Alerts issued in Atlanta, Macon, Columbus,

Augusta (SC handles) and Chattanooga area (TN handles)


Lessons Learned:• Get the rights folks together from the beginning

– Transportation agency, environmental regulators, academia, PR firm, health community, research experts, Chambers of Commerce, MPOs, environmental community

• Know your audience and their needs– Raw data for athletes, schools– Forecasters need tools and TIME– News media need graphics, personal meetings and

experts to talk to– Public needs to understand language (ozone vs. smog)


Lessons Learned:

• Know your limitations– Provide guidance; individuals must take

responsibility and know their own sensitivities to air quality

– You can’t predict the future; be wary of speculating on weather, predicting number of smog alerts this summer, etc.

• Be flexible - messages may need to change- Sept 11 (Homeland Security-Color coded alerts)- Forest fires, environmental emergencies


Next Steps…..

• New 8-hour ozone standard - .075 ppm-more alerts issued-will this cause desensitization with public

or give us a shot in the arm?• Continue to build relationship with health

community and DCH• Reach out more to schools, day care facilities,

nursing homes, senior centers• Continue to focus on balancing messages

regarding exercise and avoiding poor air quality• EPD working on “Air Pollution Episode” plan


Questions?

Pamela Earl

[email protected]

(404) 363-7028

Georgia Environmental Protection Division Georgia Smog Alerts Pamela Earl May 7, 2008 Georgia 2008...

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