NEWS RELEASE
May 15, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Dan A. Nelson, ORCAA Public Information Officer, Ext. 111
Awareness of Clean Air Issues Focus of Local, State and Federal Programs
OLYMPIA - Now is the time to become more Air Aware. Gov. Christine Gregoire has proclaimed May as Clean Air Month in Washington, and this week (May 15-19) is the National Air Quality Awareness Week. Culminating the week is National Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 19.
Although air quality in Washington generally earns high marks, and the six counties served by Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) enjoy clear, clean air much of the year, yet serious threats do continue to pose problems for clean air. Exhaust from diesel vehicles and smoke from wood stoves, fireplaces and outdoor burning pose the greatest risks to human health in our state.
According to Richard Stedman, ORCAA's Executive Director, the attention of everyone - including the public, the business sector, and the government - must stay focused on the issue of clean air.
"Clean air can't be taken for granted," Stedman said. "With increasing population and associated development, maintaining our good air quality will be a great challenge. We must continually look for ways to reduce air pollution, especially from diesel combustion and outdoor burning sources whose emissions have the greatest impacts on public health."
It was with this in mind that Gov. Gregoire established the Washington Clean Air Month. The official proclamation notes that air pollution causes cancer and harms the heart, lungs and immune systems, especially in individuals with pre-existing health conditions, infants, young children, the elderly, pregnant women and smokers.
Additionally, the cost of these health impacts - estimated to be in the billions of dollars - is primarily borne by individual citizens, employers and governments. The problems of air pollution go much deeper than that, even. Air pollution also affects the environment and quality of life in other ways, including: damage to soils, water, crops, and wildlife; impaired visibility; and effects on the climate.
For information about Clean Air Month, Air Awareness Week and Bike to Work Day, as well as general air quality issues, contact ORCAA at 1-800-422-5623, or visit www.orcaa.org.
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The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency protects and enhances air quality for citizens in Thurston, Mason, Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, and Pacific counties by enforcing federal, state and local air quality regulations. If you have questions specific to the topic above, or just general questions about local air quality, contact ORCAA at (360) 586-1044 or 1-800-422-5623, or visit ORCAA's website, www.orcaa.org.