Helena Air Quality
"Access by kids to the internet should be like kids breathing clean air" -Nicholas Negroponte
"Access by kids to the internet should be like kids breathing clean air" -Nicholas Negroponte
You Can Help Keep the Air Cleaner -- Every Day!
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Air quality: http://airquality.weather.gov/
http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=resources.whatyoucando One of the largest problems in Helena with our Air Quality is the particulates that are in the air during an inversion.
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- Choose a cleaner commute — car pool, use public transportation, bike or walk when possible.
- Combine errands to reduce "cold starts" of your car and avoid extended idling.
- Be sure your tires are properly inflated.
- Keep car, boat and other engines properly tuned, and avoid engines that smoke.
- Follow gasoline refueling instructions for efficient vapor recovery. Be careful not to spill fuel and always tighten your gas cap securely.
- Use environmentally safe paints and cleaning products whenever possible.
- Some products that you use at your home or office are made with smog-forming chemicals that can evaporate into the air when you use them. Follow manufacturers' recommendations for use and properly seal cleaners, paints, and other chemicals to prevent evaporation into the air.
- Conserve electricity. Consider setting your thermostat a little higher in the summer and lower in winter. Participate in local energy
- Consider using gas logs instead of wood. If you use a wood-burning stove or fireplace insert, make sure it meets EPA design specifications. Burn only dry, seasoned wood.
- Mulch or compost leaves and yard waste.
Days when ozone is expected to be high:
- Conserve electricity and set your air conditioner at a higher temperature.
- Choose a cleaner commute—share a ride to work or use public transportation. Bicycle or walk to errands when possible.
- Refuel cars and trucks after dusk.
- Combine errands and reduce trips.
- Limit engine idling.
- Use household, workshop,and garden chemicals in ways that keep evaporation to a minimum, or try to delay using them when poor air quality is forecast.
- Reduce or eliminate fireplace and wood stove use.
- Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
- Avoid burning leaves, trash and other materials.
Air Quality Index Site
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Photo taken on Mount Helena, during spring of 2016. Inversion can be seen with smog and fog hanging close to the ground.
Inversion in the Helena Valley taken from MacDonald Pass-January 10, 2017
Helena, Montana is located in a valley and air quality is affected by temperature inversions in the winter time.
Helena, Montana is located in a valley and air quality is affected by temperature inversions in the winter time.
