The Mid-America Regional Council Air Quality Program has issued an orange Ozone Alert for Tuesday, Aug. 26.
This alert indicates that an unhealthy level of ground-level ozone, also known as smog, is expected Tuesday in the Kansas City region.
Vehicle emissions are a major contributor to regional ozone pollution, a MARC spokesman said. Residents can help reduce pollution by carpooling or using public transportation, according to MARC.
The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority’s Regional Call Center offers assistance in planning trips by bus. Contact the call center at 816-221-0660 weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. The center provides route information for The Metro, The JO and Unified Government Transit. A trip planner is also available online at www.kcata.org. Most fares on regional buses are reduced to 75 cents on Ozone Alert days.
“Taking fewer trips in your car and choosing alternative forms of transportation, especially on Ozone Alert days, can help everyone breathe easier during the summer months,” said Amanda Graor, MARC air quality program manager. “Even small actions can make a difference.”
MARC issues the SkyCast, the region’s daily ozone season air quality forecast, on its website, www.marc.org, and on Twitter, www.twitter.com/airQKC. SkyCast information is also available via the air quality Facebook page, www.facebook.com/airQKC, and the information line at 913-383-7557.