When the Temperature Rises the Air Quality Drops

August 10th 2012:

Thanks to the ABC 7 News the “Spare the Air” day gets headlined to the public. With the temperatures getting high as the day goes on, one needs to make sure to take precautions to stay cool, safe, and hydrated.

“When temperatures soar, water is everyone’s best friend. Some are satisfied with drinking it, others want it on them, and the lucky ones take the plunge. “You should try it. It is just refreshing, even if you are not going to swim, you’re just going to play around. It really feels good,” Karen Mudrak of Pleasanton said from a pool.
Spare the Air alert
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District, or BAAQMD, issues Spare the Air days when air quality is unhealthy, often coinciding with high temperatures and high pollution levels. Thursday is the Bay Area’s fifth Spare the Air Day of the summer season. On these days or nights, there’s no free transit and there is a wood burning ban in place. Residents are urged to drive less and reduce activities that contribute to smog. Some simple things the public can do to make clean air choices every day include: Bike to work or around town Take public transit Work at home or telecommute Carpool and link your errands to reduce driving Avoid using gas-powered lawn mowers and leaf blowers Reduce household energy use Don’t use lighter fluid on the barbecue
PG&E asks businesses to conserve energy
PG&E is asking businesses to help conserve energy during the triple-digit heat wave hitting many parts of the Bay Area. Businesses enrolled in a program to save money and energy are being asked to switch lights to lower levels, turn off monitors, televisions, copy machines, and any other electrical devices that are not absolutely needed. PG&E says it be would helpful as well if regular customers could also cut back on energy use, especially during the peak hours between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Statewide “Flex Alert” issued
Because of the statewide heat wave, managers of California’s electrical grid have issued a statewide call for everyone to conserve power. The California Independent System Operator’s “Flex Alert” will run Friday through Sunday, but they also want residents to start conserving energy right now. Turn off all unnecessary appliances and lights, especially during the peak afternoon hours. The Flex Alert is intended to prevent operating reserves from falling to the point that a Stage 1 Emergency occurs.”ABC7 News

Check out the Videos on the Spare the Air from ABC7 News here:
Air Quality Update 8-9-12 5:30am

Air Quality Update 8-9-12 6:56am