Improving Air Quality in Greenville County, SC

Ground Level Ozone (O3)

Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5)

The Solution: Awareness

Who Is Affected by Air Pollution:Ground Level O3 and PM2.5

• Children• Elderly• People with respiratory illnesses• People who are active outdoors

Health Effects of Air Pollution

• Irritates respiratory system– Reduces lung function– Produces coughing, throat irritation, and congestion– Inflames and damages cells that line lungs– Aggravates chronic lung diseases (asthma, bronchitis,

and emphysema)– Causes permanent lung damage

Health Effects of Air Pollution

• Exposure where levels are frequently high – People may find that initial symptoms go away over

time but O3 continues to cause lung damage even when the symptoms have disappeared

• Repeated exposure may permanently scar lung tissue

• No noticeable signs of lung damage caused by ground level O3

Symptoms of Exposure

• On healthy people– Eyes, nose, and throat irritation– Coughing– Phlegm– Chest tightness– Shortness of breath

Symptoms of Exposure

• On people with lung disease– May not be able to breathe deeply or vigorously as normal– Coughing– Chest discomfort– Wheezing– Shortness of breath– Unusual fatigue

Always follow your doctor’s advice

Symptoms of Exposure• On people with heart disease

– Serious problems may occur in a short period of time with no warning signs

• Heart attacks• Chest pain or tightness• Palpitations• Shortness of breath• Unusual fatigue

Always follow your doctor’s advice

Things That You Can Do to Minimize Air Pollution: On the Road

• Consolidate trips to avoid unnecessary driving• Carpool or rideshare to work, school, or meetings• Use alternative modes of transportation

– public transportation, bicycles, walk

• Avoid long lines for drive-up windows– Park your car and walk into the business

Things That You Can Do to Minimize Air Pollution: On the Road

• Avoid driving from store to store looking for just one item– Call ahead to find out if the item is in stock– Plan your trips to combine your tasks into one

• Avoid unnecessary trips during rush hours• Accelerate and brake gradually

Things That You Can Do to Minimize Air Pollution: On the Road

• Avoid idling your car’s engine for more than 30 seconds– Late model vehicles need little warm-up during cold

weather

• Observe speed limits– Avoid driving at high speed– Use cruise control on highways

Things That You Can Do to Minimize Air Pollution: On the Road

• Reduce car loads– Avoid driving with unnecessary items

• Use car air conditioning when absolutely necessary– Open windows or fresh air vents

• Refuel when it’s cool– Early during the day or during the evening

Things That You Can Do to Minimize Air Pollution: On the Road

• Avoid “topping-off” the gas tank when refueling– “Topping off” releases gas fumes into the air– Spilled gasoline pollutes the air when evaporates

• Use alternate fuels if available and if your car is properly equipped

Things That You Can Do to Minimize Air Pollution: On the Road

• Pick at least one day a week to carpool and leave your car at home, especially during O3 alert days– Saves millions of gallons of gasoline a year– Keeps pollutants out of the atmosphere– Reduces your expenses

• Decrease gasoline consumption• Less wear and tear to your vehicle

Things That You Can Do to Minimize Air Pollution: On Vehicle Maintenance

• Properly maintain fleet or personal vehicles to reduce emissions and enhance performance– Follow recommended maintenance schedule– Maintain recommended tire pressure– Replace air filter as recommended in the owner’s

manual

Things That You Can Do to Minimize Air Pollution: At Work

• Telecommute to work, if possible or feasible• Carpool or rideshare

– From home to work– From work to meetings, training sessions, seminars,

conferences, etc.

• Consider implementing alternate work schedules– Reduces engine idling during egress both in

employees’ parking areas and on congested streets during rush hours

Things That You Can Do to Minimize Air Pollution: At Work

• Reduce driving by providing in-house– On-line training sessions– Web meetings/conferences– Conference telephone calls, especially if long

distance within the State

• Conserve energy– Chose energy efficient lighting such as fluorescent

light bulbs– In the long run, helps to reduce emissions associated

with energy production

Things That You Can Do to Minimize Air Pollution: At Work and Home

• Make sure the lids on chemical products, especially janitorial products, paints, solvents, etc. are tightly closed to eliminate evaporation

• Read the labels and use products that are water-based where suitable– Use the minimum amount necessary

Things That You Can Do to Minimize Air Pollution: At Work and Home

• When painting– Consider using brush or roller instead of sprayer– Use paints that are water-based or labeled “Zero

VOC”– Store solvents (paint thinners) in airtight containers

• Use fans instead of air conditioning at home, when appropriate

What Can You Do to Minimize Air Pollutants Formation: At Home

• Conserve energy– In the long run, helps to reduce emissions associated

with energy production

• Chose energy efficient appliances• Properly insulate your home• Check with utility company for more energy

conservation tips or programs

What Can You Do to Minimize Air Pollutants Formation: At Home

• Microwave small meals• Replace standard light bulbs with energy

efficient fluorescent light bulbs• Turn off lights in rooms that are not in use• Put your computer on stand-by or turn it off

when not in use

What Can You Do to Minimize Air Pollutants Formation: At Home

• Consider installing a programmable thermostat for your air conditioning and furnace to automatically adjust its operation during times away from home

• Participate in gas can exchange programs in your community

What Can You Do to Minimize Air Pollutants Formation: Outdoors

• In your home garden or office landscaped areas– Consider using manual (reel) or electric-powered lawn

and garden maintenance equipment– If using gas-powered lawnmowers, mow lawns when

it’s cool• Early in the morning• Late in the afternoon

– Consider creating flower or plant beds to reduce lawn mowing areas

What Can You Do to Minimize Air Pollutants Formation: Changing Habits

• Thinking about buying new personal or fleet cars?– Consider purchasing hybrid, alternate fuel, fuel efficient,

or lean burn vehicles– The State of South Carolina provides tax incentives for

individuals to purchase these vehicles• State income tax credit equal to 20% of certain new

hybrid, fuel cell, alternative fuel, or lean burn technology motor vehicle

• Tax credits allowed against a taxpayer's federal income tax liability

What Can You Do to Minimize Air Pollutants Formation: Changing Habits

• Don’t burn the following materials - It’s against State law!– Household garbage, trash, and cleaners– Paper, plastics, paints, and farm chemicals– Motor and waste heating oils– Building and roofing materials (shingles and tar)– Tires and other rubber materials– Electrical wire, insulation, and duct work

What Can You Do to Minimize Air Pollutants Formation: Spread the Word

• Word of mouth is a great marketing and educational tool– Tell friends, family and co-workers what you are doing

and why– Education and small changes in personal habits will

do wonders to keep the air cleaner in our corner of the world

Preventing Exposure During High Levels of Air Pollution Alert Days

• Avoid strenuous outdoor activities– Substitute for an activity requiring less exertion

• Walking instead of jogging

• Avoid long exposure to outdoor activities– Reduce activity time– Plan activities during days of lower air pollution levels

• Don’t exercise near busy roads– Air pollution levels are higher in these areas

Preventing Exposure During Days of High Levels of Air Pollution: Be Alert

• USEPA– http://www.epa.gov/ebtpages/air.html– http://www.epa.gov/ebtpages/

airatmospheregroundlevelozone.html – http://airnow.gov/– Free service that provides information about Air Quality

Index in the location of your choice via daily e-mails • https://enviroflash.epa.gov/airnow/subscriber/

Subscriber.do?method=start

Preventing Exposure During Days of High Levels of Air Pollution: Be Alert

• SCDHEC– http://www.scdhec.gov/eqc/baq/html/index.html– http://www.scdhec.gov/eqc/baq/ozone/baqspare.asp– http://www.scdhec.gov/eqc/baq/html/index.html– 1-866-238-4973 (Air Quality Forecast)

Preventing Exposure During Days of High Levels of Air Pollution: Be Alert

• Greenville County– Website www.greenvillecounty.org

• County Highlights• News Releases

– Cable TV Channel 2

It is Everybody’s Responsibility

Often industry and businesses are blamed for causing emissions that form ground level O3 and air pollution. But private citizens are also responsible for a significant percentage of the air pollutants causing ground level O3 formation (motor vehicle emissions are the single greatest contributor to ground level O3 pollution).

Sources

• US Environmental Protection Agency– http://www.epa.gov/epahome/educational.htm

• SC Department of Health and Environmental Control– http://www.scdhec.gov/eqc/baq/html/ozone.html

Contact Information• John Owings

Manager of Current Planning

Phone: (864) 467-7270

Fax: (864) 467-5962

planning@greenvillecounty.org

• Sandra YúdiceAssistant to the County Administrator

Phone: (864) 467-7409

Fax: (864) 467-7151

countyadministrator@greenvillecounty.org