FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   June 9, 2008      

CODE RED AIR QUALITY ALERT ISSUED

The Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments has issued a code red air quality alert for today. This forecast means air quality is expected to be unhealthy for all individuals. Children, the elderly and individuals with heart or respiratory ailments, emphysema, asthma or chronic bronchitis should restrict outdoor activities. Healthy individuals should limit strenuous outdoor work or exercise and outdoor activities. Approximately 60 to 70 percent of the pollutants that cause ground-level ozone are created from vehicles, lawn mowers, other garden equipment and common household products.

In order to prevent high levels of ozone from forming:

 -Limit driving and when possible, combine trips or telework.

- Use area bus and rail lines or carpool. During Code Red Alert days, all DASH, Fairfax Connector and Metro buses operating in Alexandria are free to ride.

- Avoid mowing lawns with gasoline-powered motors.

- Refuel vehicles after dusk. Avoid idling.

- Use environmentally friendly products.

- Conserve electricity; keep air conditioning no lower than 78 degrees.

For more information on air quality, visit alexandriava.gov/tes/info/default.aspx?id=3838 or the Council of Governments web site at www.mwcog.org/environment/air/forecast/.

www.alexandriava.gov