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Warm winds keep smog away By PAUL FATTIG Mother Nature has nearly all the right ingredients to fill the Rogue Valley bowl with smoggy soup: plenty of high temperatures and vehicular exhaust. But she forgot the all-important pinch of dead air. "Because of the ventilation in the valley, we haven't had the ozone build up yet for a Clean Air Action Day," explained John Becker, air quality manager for the state Department of Environmental Quality in southwestern Oregon. Those breezes in the midst of the week's sweltering heat wave have, thus far, stopped the DEQ from declaring a Clean Air Action Day, which calls for voluntary action to reduce smog emissions in the Rogue Valley. Medford and Eugene are starting the voluntary program this summer. Portland began a similar program in 1991, declaring a Clean Air Action Day when the temperature rises to 90 degrees on windless days. "We've had enough wind to break up the intensity of the chemical formation in the Rogue Valley," Becker reiterated. "Ozone builds up accumulatively over time. Our numbers have been relatively good." Earlier this month, the DEQ and the Medford-Ashland Air Quality Committee announced the voluntary pollution prevention program that will kick in whenever the mercury climbs above 96 degrees and the wind doesn't exceed 5 miles per hour. The program was prompted by the fact that during the summer of 1998, the Medford-Ashland area exceeded the federal health standard for smog on five days: July 27, Aug. 3 and 4 and Sept. 1 and 3. That marked the first time the region violated federal smog standards, Becker said. A listing of noncompliance with the federal Clean Air Act can result in restrictions imposed by Uncle Sam. Restrictions could include mandatory trip-reduction programs for businesses and limits on the number of industries allowed to move into the area. During those Clean Air Action Days, residents will be asked to stop or reduce driving and avoid using gas-powered mowers, leaf blowers, chain saws or similar devices. They will also be urged to postpone house painting, or use low-solvent or no-solvent paint. In addition, they should avoid using lighter fluid to start barbecue grills and not use aerosol deodorant, hair spray, air freshener or windshield washer fluid. The area included is from Ashland to Gold Hill and from Jacksonville to Eagle Point. The local media will be asked to announce the advisories the day before they take effect. While the ozone found high in the atmosphere is beneficial in terms of protecting people from harmful radiation, ozone found at ground level creates smog. The latter is largely the combination of oxides of nitrogen and oxygen, which pose a health threat to young children, the elderly and those with chronic lung problems. If there is no wind to sweep the ozone off the valley floor, smog will build up to dangerous levels, Becker warned. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA