Millions Told To Avoid Using Their Cars

National

Colorado drivers have been asked to "limit driving" for 24 hours until late Tuesday afternoon in an attempt to improve pollution levels.

The move was announced by the National Weather Service (NWS) in its daily round-up of warnings and advisories on Monday, which said: "The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued [...an] Ozone Action Day Alert." Monday's warning, which asks motorists to refrain from using their gas or diesel vehicles if possible, covers the Front Range Urban Corridor that is home to almost 5 million people.

Ozone is a gas that occurs both above the Earth and at ground level. The ozone layer in the upper atmosphere protects the planet from the Sun's radiation, but ozone that forms at ground level-caused by a chemical reaction in the sunlight between pollutants such as car exhaust fumes-can be dangerous. "Ozone in the air we breathe can harm our health, especially on hot sunny days when ozone can reach unhealthy levels," according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). "People at greatest risk of harm from breathing air containing ozone include people with asthma."

This week's alert is designed to encourage Colorado motorists to leave their vehicles at home, and instead use public transport, walk if possible and their health allows, car share, or simply consolidate several car trips into one journey to lessen the impact on the environment.

The "Ozone Action Day Alert is now in effect for the Front Range Urban Corridor," according to the notice, which was published at 4:10 p.m. on Monday. "Request to limit driving gas and diesel-powered vehicles is now in effect until at least 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, 2024."

The areas included in the alert were Douglas, Jefferson, Denver, western Arapahoe, western Adams, Broomfield, Boulder, Larimer, and Weld Counties.

Surrounding areas were also asked to play their part. "Elevated ozone will be most likely for locations in and near Denver, especially the southern and western suburbs along with the nearby foothills. For areas included in this advisory that are not expected to reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) air quality designation, we request that activities, such as driving non-ZEV vehicles (i.e., gas or diesel), be reduced to lessen the impacts on neighboring air quality," the notice said.

The alert warned vulnerable residents, such as those with lung problems or people breathing deeply due to outdoor exercise, to limit their time outside. There was an "increasing likelihood of respiratory symptoms and breathing discomfort" in such people, the NWS said, adding: "Active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion."

The warning follows a string of similar alerts across the state this summer.

Last week, another Ozone Action Day Alert was announced around the Denver Metro area on Thursday and Friday, which was publicized on X (formerly Twitter).

Air Pollution Control Division Director Michael Ogletree, of the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE), previously told Newsweek:

"We are moving swiftly and strategically to reduce ozone pollution. We need multiple, innovative strategies to get the job done. We are striving to find sustainable solutions that meet the needs of Coloradans. We feel it's our responsibility as a state to make it easier for them to choose mass transit or to get an affordable zero-emitting car, when the time comes for them to replace their older car."

The alert in Colorado follows similar pleas to motorists issued by several other states in recent months.

Drivers in California and Texas were urged to temporarily avoid driving gas- and diesel-powered vehicles and refrain from visiting gas stations as emissions can worsen air quality. While officials in Indiana and Alabama also looked to road-users as they attempt to tackle the problem of poor air quality and pollution.