Air pollution advisory this weekend

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - An air pollution advisory has been issued in the Miami Valley for Saturday, June 9.

The counties included are Clark, Greene, Miami and Montgomery counties.

The Storm Team 2 forecast is calling for soaring temperatures, enough to trigger the alert.

The Regional Air Pollution Control agency says the Air Quality Index reading is anticipated to be approximately 106 on Saturday. Any reading at 100 or higher is deemed "unhealthy for sensitive groups."

RAPCA and the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission encourage residents to follow these actions:

· AVOID DRIVING IF POSSIBLE. Carpool/vanpool or take the bus. Vehicle emissions cause almost 50% of ground-level ozone. For short trips, walk or ride a bike.

· REFUEL YOUR VEHICLE ONLY AFTER 6:00 P.M., OR IF POSSIBLE, DON'T REFUEL AT ALL WHEN AIR POLLUTION ADVISORY NOTICES HAVE BEEN ISSUED. Vapors from gasoline contribute to the smog problem. By refueling after 6:00 p.m. when it's cooler, smog doesn't form as easily. Make sure your gas cap fits tightly so gas fumes don't escape and contribute to the smog problem.

· IF YOU MUST DRIVE, try to combine running errands or delay them until the Air Pollution Advisory notice is lifted.

· DRIVE A CAR THAT IS WELL-TUNED. Avoid "jackrabbit" acceleration and excessive idling, especially at drive-thru windows. If you have to wait for 2 minutes or more, it's better to turn off the engine and go inside.

· AROUND THE HOME, limit your use of small gasoline-powered equipment such as lawn mowers, chainsaws, power trimmers and shredders. Operating a gasoline-powered lawn mower for one (1) hour produces the same amount of pollution as driving a car for eleven (11) hours! Try a "push" or battery-powered lawn mower instead.

· MOW YOUR LAWN AFTER 6:00 P.M. when the sunlight is not as strong and smog is less likely to form.

Log on to www.miamivalleyair.org for more information.