Environmental Progress - Summer 1999

New Web Site to Spur Citizen Clean Air Efforts

Announcement coincides with Clean Air awards.

Partners for Clean Air (PFCA), a coalition of more than 400 businesses, government agencies and public health advocacy groups committed to improving Chicago's air quality, debuted its new Web site at the Fourth Annual Recognition and Awards Breakfast May 12 in Chicago hosted by WGN weathercaster Jim Ramsey.

Tom Skilling, chief meteorologist for Chicago's WGN-TV, was honored by partners for Clean Air in May.

"The new Web site builds on the success of the Partners program and will further increase citizen awareness of voluntary actions than can help reduce smog," said Illinois EPA Director Tom Skinner.

The Partners coalition presented four of its members with special recognition awards. Honorees included Arrow Road Construction Company (Mt. Prospect); BP Amoco; Oak Forest Hospital of Cook County (Oak Forest); and the village of South Holland Parks and Recreation Department.

Website offers real-time ozone maps, tips and links

The new Partners for Clean Air site, www.cleantheair.org, contains real-time maps showing ozone formation and movement, news, tips to help prevent ground-level ozone (smog), Ozone Action Day information and notification and links to air pollution information.

The ozone map is generated daily between May 1 through Sept. 30, and provides a picture of ozone levels throughout the day. The map is created using data from the area's nearly 100 air monitoring stations.

When an Ozone Action Day is announced, PFCA members are notified and each member implements its Ozone Action Day plan. The general public is also alerted.

There were nine Ozone Action Days in 1998, and, as of Sept. 13, four exceedance days in 1999. A typical summer usually has 12-15 days when a high level of ozone is likely to form.

Tom Skilling, meteorologist for Chicago TV station WGN, was honored for his contributions to increasing public understanding and awareness of air pollution. His efforts were cited as contributing to Chicagoland's improved air quality.

The Partners coalition has expanded from 15 Chicago-area charter members in 1995 to its current membership of more than 400.

For more information, call the Partners for Clean Air at 800-451-5983 or visit its Web site at www.cleantheair.org.