Dover/Kent County MPO

Tropo makes central Delaware Debut at Dover Days

The Air Quality Partnership of Delaware’s new mascot, Tropo, made its central Delaware debut at Dover Days on Saturday, May 3.

DNREC Deputy Secretary David Small, interim Dover Mayor David Bonar, Dover City Councilman James L. Hutchison and members of the Air Quality Partnership helped kick off Ozone Season in central Delaware.

“May marks the beginning of ozone season, a time when temperatures rise and conditions become favorable for ground-level ozone to form,” said Deputy Sec. Small. “When ozone is forecasted to reach an unhealthy level, DNREC will declare an Air Quality Action Day and urge people to take precautions to protect their health. During ozone season and all year long, we encourage Delawareans to follow our air quality forecasts and take simple actions whenever possible – like riding public transit, biking or walking – that will make a big difference in improving the quality of our air.”

During the spring and summer months, high temperatures and sunlight combine with air pollutants to form ground-level ozone. The air pollutants contributing most to ozone are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), which originate from many sources including vehicle exhaust, gasoline vapors, large and small industrial facilities, chemical solvents, consumer products and natural sources. In addition, ozone can be transported by the wind over great distances, creating air quality problems far downwind of pollution sources. This means that everyone—industries, businesses and people—contribute to the problem.

High levels of ozone near ground level can be harmful to people, animals and crops. When ozone levels are high, children, seniors, people with respiratory ailments and those who work or exercise outside are especially at risk. Ground-level ozone irritates lung passages and causes inflammation with symptoms that can include coughing, wheezing, headaches and shortness of breath. Long-term exposure to even low levels of ozone can trigger asthma and lead to permanent lung damage.

To support ozone season and asthma awareness, Mayor Bonar read two city of Dover proclamations at today’s event encouraging Dover residents to learn about local air quality and take an active role in minimizing pollution.

“The city of Dover completely and totally embraces these proclamations and everything they stand for,” Councilman Hutchison said. “And the solar park in Dover and the library show that commitment. As more and more knowledge is gained about the environment, we are going to make changes to have a better, cleaner community.”