NCDENR - Division of Air Quality - North Carolina Air Awareness Program



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North Carolina Air Awareness Program
The North Carolina Air Awareness Program is a public outreach and education program of the North Carolina Division of Air Quality. The goal of the program is to reduce air pollution though voluntary actions by individuals and organizations. The program seeks to educate individuals about (1) the sources of air pollution; (2) the health effects of air pollution and how these effects can be mitigated by modification of outdoor activities on ozone action days; and (3) simple "action tips", such as carpooling, vehicle maintenance, and energy conservation, that reduce individual contributions to air pollution. Since its inception in 1996, the program has focused on ground-level ozone pollution, as ozone has been the air pollutant of greatest concern in the state. However, program staff are developing plans to incorporate particulate matter (PM2.5) materials and information into the program. N.C. Air Awareness has local programs in: the Triangle, the Triad, the greater Charlotte area, the greater Hickory / Unifour area, and the Asheville area. NCDAQ works closely with local air agencies and councils of government to accomplish program goals. Although some program activities are centrally coordinated from the NCDAQ Raleigh Central Office, locally-based area coordinators direct most local program activities. In the Triad and Charlotte areas, the local Air Awareness Programs are housed in the Forsyth County Environmental Affairs Department (FCEAD) and the Mecklenburg County Air Quality agency, respectively. In Asheville and the Triangle, local programs are housed at the NCDAQ Asheville Regional Office and the NCDAQ Central Office. Program components are: (1) The ozone forecast. Expected ozone levels, in terms of color code and Air Quality Index (AQI) number, are forecasted for May 1 - September 30 by NCDAQ meteorologists. These forecasts are distributed via fax and email to local media (television, radio, and newspaper) and to area businesses and individuals. The forecast is also displayed on the NCDAQ web page. Separate forecasts are issued for: the Triangle, Fayetteville, Charlotte, Hickory, and Asheville. The FCEAD issues air quality forecasts for the Triad. (2) School-based outreach. Program staff conduct "Dare to Know your Air" educator-training workshops. Workshop participants can earn credit toward Environmental Educator certification (through DENR OEE) as well as continuing education credits. Program staff also give classroom presentations at area schools. (3) Regional Air Quality Coalitions. As Coalition members, area business, agencies, and organizations multiply NCDAQ's education efforts by distributing the ozone forecast to employees and providing education about air quality. Regional Coalitions in Asheville, Hickory, the Triad, Charlotte, and the Triangle count over 500 businesses and organizations statewide. (4) Public outreach. The most visible element of the program is the ozone forecast, seen by a large segment of the public on local TV news weather segments. The program exhibits at health and environmental fairs. Formerly, the program ran media campaigns on television and radio, although reduced budgets precluded advertising in 2001 and 2002. Plans are underway for a 2003 media awareness campaign. Public information is also distributed through the program website, http://daq.state.nc.us/airaware/, air.awareness@ncmail.net, and the toll-free air quality hotline 1-888-RU4NCAIR.

North Carolina Air Awareness Program

The North Carolina Air Awareness Program is a public outreach and education program of the North Carolina Division of Air Quality. The goal of the program is to reduce air pollution though voluntary actions by individuals and organizations. The program seeks to educate individuals about (1) the sources of air pollution; (2) the health effects of air pollution and how these effects can be mitigated by modification of outdoor activities on ozone action days; and (3) simple "action tips", such as carpooling, vehicle maintenance, and energy conservation, that reduce individual contributions to air pollution.

Since its inception in 1996, the program has focused on ground-level ozone pollution, as ozone has been the air pollutant of greatest concern in the state. However, program staff are developing plans to incorporate particulate matter (PM2.5) materials and information into the program.

N.C. Air Awareness has local programs in: the Triangle, the Triad, the greater Charlotte area, the greater Hickory / Unifour area, and the Asheville area.

NCDAQ works closely with local air agencies and councils of government to accomplish program goals. Although some program activities are centrally coordinated from the NCDAQ Raleigh Central Office, locally-based area coordinators direct most local program activities. In the Triad and Charlotte areas, the local Air Awareness Programs are housed in the Forsyth County Environmental Affairs Department (FCEAD) and the Mecklenburg County Air Quality agency, respectively. In Asheville and the Triangle, local programs are housed at the NCDAQ Asheville Regional Office and the NCDAQ Central Office.

Program components are:
(1) The ozone forecast. Expected ozone levels, in terms of color code and Air Quality Index (AQI) number, are forecasted for May 1 - September 30 by NCDAQ meteorologists. These forecasts are distributed via fax and email to local media (television, radio, and newspaper) and to area businesses and individuals. The forecast is also displayed on the NCDAQ web page. Separate forecasts are issued for: the Triangle, Fayetteville, Charlotte, Hickory, and Asheville. The FCEAD issues air quality forecasts for the Triad.

(2) School-based outreach. Program staff conduct "Dare to Know your Air" educator-training workshops. Workshop participants can earn credit toward Environmental Educator certification (through DENR OEE) as well as continuing education credits. Program staff also give classroom presentations at area schools.

(3) Regional Air Quality Coalitions. As Coalition members, area business, agencies, and organizations multiply NCDAQ's education efforts by distributing the ozone forecast to employees and providing education about air quality. Regional Coalitions in Asheville, Hickory, the Triad, Charlotte, and the Triangle count over 500 businesses and organizations statewide.

(4) Public outreach. The most visible element of the program is the ozone forecast, seen by a large segment of the public on local TV news weather segments. The program exhibits at health and environmental fairs. Formerly, the program ran media campaigns on television and radio, although reduced budgets precluded advertising in 2001 and 2002. Plans are underway for a 2003 media awareness campaign. Public information is also distributed through the program website, http://daq.state.nc.us/airaware/, air.awareness@ncmail.net, and the toll-free air quality hotline 1-888-RU4NCAIR.