Apr 22, 2015
Baton Rouge - EnviroFlash, DEQ’s free automatic notification system, delivers air quality information to you in a timely and convenient manner. Since next week is Air Quality Awareness week nationally and May is Air Quality Awareness Month and the start of ozone season, knowing the air quality is important in planning activities. Through EnviroFlash, information is available to you on a daily basis or on-demand.
The EnviroFlash alert system can deliver the information to you on your phone or in your email. It is easy to subscribe and once you subscribe, you will receive current information about the air quality. When the ozone level is high or if the particle pollution is expected to be high, EnviroFlash sends an Air Quality Awareness alert with AQ information and actions you can take. The system is also set up to send you notifications of unusual events, such as fires, that might affect your air quality.
To stay better informed about ozone, particulate pollution and other air quality matters, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality encourages the public to sign up for the EnviroFlash system in their area: Baton Rouge, Shreveport, New Orleans, Alexandria, Lake Charles, Monroe, Thibodaux or Lafayette or on the DEQ web site, www.deq.louisiana.gov/enviroflash. These are the Web addresses to sign up statewide:
- http://Batonrougearea.enviroflash.info
- http://neworleansarea.enviroflash.info
- http://shreveportarea.enviroflash.info
- http://alexandriaarea.enviroflash.info
- http://lakecharlesarea.enviroflash.info
- http://monroearea.enviroflash.info
- http://thibodauxarea.enviroflash.info
- http://lafayettearea.enviroflash.info
“Hot weather increases the risk of elevated ozone levels,” DEQ Secretary Peggy Hatch said. “Because higher ozone and particle pollution can have an impact on public activity and health, we urge people to take advantage of the free EnviroFlash system. It’s a simple way to stay informed and take appropriate steps to protect your health.”
Ground level ozone forms when pollutants emitted by cars, industrial sources and other sources react chemically in the presence of sunlight. At ground level, ozone is a harmful air pollutant. During hot, sunny months, ozone becomes a greater concern. Hot, dry weather often means a higher chance of air pollution.
For more information on current air quality, go to the DEQ website, http://www.deq.louisiana.gov/portal/PROGRAMS/Air.aspx and the interactive EPA website: www.airnow.gov.
To sign up for EnviroFlash air quality notifications go to http://enviroflash.info.