May 1, 2003
CLEAR THE AIR: MECKLENBURG COUNTY TO KICK OFF
OZONE AWARENESS SEASON
Charlotte, NC - That time of year is approaching, when the air gets thick with ozone and unhealthy for everyone. Charlotte and Mecklenburg County average 20 - 50 days of unhealthy air in the summer. That's why Mecklenburg County Air Quality is working to "Clear The Air" and increase awareness of ozone.
Beginning Friday, May 2, 2003, Mecklenburg County Air Quality and Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) will kick off the "Clear The Air" campaign. It is a series of exhibits and activities to raise awareness of air quality and transportation choices available. The kick-off begins at 8:15 a.m. at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, 600 East Fourth Street.
The kickoff will feature:
- Exhibits on ozone, air quality and public transportation options.
- Mecklenburg County announcing its new "commuter choice" plan, offering public transportation options to County employees.
- City and County leaders competing in "Air Jeopardy," an air quality quiz game.
- Captain Clean Air!
Other exhibits and activities will take place throughout the month of May: Wachovia Plaza (May 6), Bank of America Corporate Center (May 7), Duke Energy (May 8), and the Mayor's Bike to Work Day starting at the Dowd YMCA (May 9).
Mecklenburg County Air Quality also offers daily ozone forecasts on the air quality page of
www.charmeck.org. The Web site offers the ozone forecast from the N.C. Division of Air Quality and real-time air quality information as measured by several monitoring stations throughout Mecklenburg County. For more information about Mecklenburg County Air Quality, call 704-336-5500.
For more information about public transportation in Charlotte, call 704-336-RIDE (7433) or check the Web site
www.ridetransit.org.