A GUIDE FOR PARTNER COORDINATORS

1. Make an educational effort in advance.
At the start of the summer "ozone season," partner coordinators should try to explain ground-level ozone pollution, its causes, effects, and the simple things we can do to reduce it. This will help those people you will be notifying to understand the meaning and intent of the notices.

2. Air Quality Forecasts
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection provides us with daily forecasts of expected ozone pollution concentrations for the following day. The Air Quality Partnership uses those forecasts as a trigger to send the appropriate notices out to partner coordinators by e-mail. You can view the air quality forecast from NJDEP by clicking here.

3. Air Quality Action Advisories
The Air Quality Partnership provides advisories to partner organizations to help notify employees and customers of unhealthy air quality. Unlike in past years, there is only one type of advisory sent out on days with high levels of particle pollution or ozone. You will receive an Air Quality Action advisory via email the day before a forecasted event. Advisories can also be sent out year-round, but are primarily sent out during the summer months from May through September.

4. Notify your employees, clients or customers.
When you receive the notice, use it to get the word out. Post copies where people will see them and will learn to look for them. Air Quality Partners have learned that bulletin boards, reception desks, entrance doors, lunchrooms, lobbies and elevators make good locations. At some sites, forwarding the e-mail notice is the quickest and easiest means of broadcasting the message.

5. Take action to reduce ozone or avoid exposure.
Air pollution comes from a variety of sources, so there are many ways to reduce its formation. Individuals, employers and organizations can devise and commit to a number of actions. While these can be done anytime, the Partnership only asks for commitment to them on Ozone Action Days, when actions will make the most vital difference. Small corporate and individual actions, on or off the job, can add up to have a real effect if enough people participate. At the same time, we can use forecasts of unhealthy ozone levels to limit our exposure, or that of our co-workers or clients, to ground-level ozone pollution. Many of our Partners are medical locations, recreation departments, or organizations with a similar interest.

The Air Quality Partnership is comprised of hundreds of corporations, governmental agencies and individuals working to reduce ground-level ozone and particle pollution.