Dayton, OH – The Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC) will be observing National Air Quality Awareness Week, April 29 through May 3, 2019, with daily social media posts. This year’s theme, selected by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), is “Check the AQI and Get Outside.” The goal is to encourage people to check the daily Air Quality Index (AQI) via https://airnow.gov/ to determine the best time to be outdoors and remind them that increased air pollution levels may trigger breathing problems.
MVRPC partners with the Regional Air Pollution Control Agency (RAPCA) on air quality issues. RAPCA is responsible for monitoring and reporting air quality readings in Montgomery, Greene, Miami, and Clark Counties. On days when air pollution levels are forecasted to increase, an Air Pollution Advisory (APA) will be issued. It’s especially important on these days that the elderly, young children and those with breathing problems modify behavior and limit outdoor time.
If an APA is called, the public will see it on digital billboards, Dayton Daily News front page notices, TV weather reports, and scrolling notices on www.mvrpc.org. New this year, MVRPC and RAPCA have partnered with the National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio, to include APA notices on their website (https://www.weather.gov/iln/), social media, and the NOAA Weather Radio.
“High air pollution levels create a health concern. MVRPC’s partnership with the National Weather Service is a great opportunity to expand our reach to the most vulnerable residents,” stated MVRPC’s Executive Director, Brian O. Martin, AICP. “Our hope is this information will help people protect their health and take actions to reduce air pollution year-round,” Martin continued.
Follow the hashtag #MiamiValleyAQ and #AQAW2019 on MVRPC’s Facebook and Twitter pages to learn more or visit www.miamivalleyair.org.
Established in 1964, the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission promotes collaboration among communities, stakeholders, and residents to advance regional priorities. MVRPC is a forum and resource where the Board of Directors identifies priorities and develops public policy and collaborative strategies to improve quality of life throughout the Miami Valley Region. MVRPC performs various regional planning activities, including air quality, water quality, transportation, land use, research and GIS. As the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), MVRPC is responsible for transportation planning in Greene, Miami and Montgomery Counties and parts of northern Warren County. MVRPC's areawide water quality planning designation encompasses five (5) counties: Darke, Preble plus the three MPO counties.
For additional information, contact Laura A. Loges, MVRPC’s Director of Marketing and Public Affairs, at (937) 223-6323 or lloges@mvrpc.org.
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