11/14/2005
Media Contact:
Angie Nussmeyer, 327-2053 |
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Knozone expands into a year-round campaign
Fine particle pollution prompts program evolution
INDIANAPOLIS - This morning, Deputy Mayor Steve Campbell and Jim Garrard, the director of the Department of Public Works, announced that the city's Knozone program has become a year-round air quality awareness campaign.
"Central Indiana's air quality has been improving thanks to the collective voluntary efforts of our residents and businesses," Campbell said. "However, federal health-based standards have become stricter in recent years. The city of Indianapolis is committed to improving the region's air quality and the voluntary steps promoted by Knozone will continue to be a large part of that effort."
Marion County, as well as four other counties in central Indiana, was recently designated as being in non-attainment for the fine particle (PM 2.5) federal health-based standard. Fine particles are very small particles with diameters less than 2.5 micrometers (about 30 times small than the diameter of a human hair). Fine particles are released into the when fuels like wood, coal, oil, gas, or gasoline and diesel motor vehicle fuels are burned.
"Unlike ground-level ozone, fine particles are not limited to a specific season and we see a real spike in the winter months," Garrard said. "That's why it was important to evolve the Knozone program into a year-round campaign to continue educating the public about the simple steps they can take to make a visible difference in our air quality."
Knozone Action Days will remain a key component of the campaign. Regardless of the season, the city of Indianapolis will declare a Knozone Action Day when air pollution levels are predicted to become unhealthy for sensitive groups, represented by the color orange on the Air Quality Index. These sensitive groups include young children, the elderly and anyone suffering from heart or lung disease.
"Due to their small size, fine particles are easily inhaled and are deeply deposited into the lungs, which can aggravate and even cause serious health problems such as heart and lung disease," added Garrard. "On a Knozone Action Day, residents are advised to monitor their health and to consult their physician if they have any health-related concerns."
Also part of Monday's announcement, Gil Holmes, the president and CEO of IndyGo, renewed IndyGo's commitment to the Knozone program by launching the "Clean Air Pass" program that will be promoted to area businesses. Central Indiana Commuter Services (CICS), a new service of IndyGo, will be an integral part of this outreach effort.
"One of the best ways to help our city's air quality is to drive your car less, and ride the bus or carpool more," said Holmes. "Through the 'Clean Air Pass' program, residents will have an opportunity to try alternative commuting options while contributing to a cleaner environment."
Essentially, employers will be provided with transit packs to distribute to employees. The transit pack includes information about how to ride the bus, a full system map and a 10-trip bus pass. After the bus pass has been used, each employee will fill out a short survey and then IndyGo will provide a 30-day bus pass to the employee free of charge. Thanks to several financial incentives promoted through CICS, employers will have the option to continue the program once the initial 30-day pass has expired.
Garrard also unveiled Knozone's new theme, "Clean air is in." At the event, new marketing materials were made available and it was announced that the program's website www.knozone.com has been re-launched.
As a reminder, residents and businesses are reminded to incorporate the following clean air strategies into their daily routine:
- Don't idle unnecessarily. Turn off your car's engine when possible.
- Ride the bus. Call IndyGo at 635-3344.
- Keep your car tuned up and tires properly inflated.
- Don't burn yard debris.
- Organize a carpool. Call Central Indiana Commuter Services at 327-RIDE.
- Combine errands into one trip.
- Turn off lights and appliances when not in use.
- Limit the use of wood-burning stoves and fireplaces in the winter.
Knozone is a year-round voluntary air pollution reduction program for Indianapolis-Marion County. The program educates the public about the effects ground-level ozone (smog) and fine particles (soot) on public health and promotes clean air strategies that help to clean the air. For more information, please visit www.knozone.com or call (317) 327-4AIR for current air quality information.
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