News Release 427

DEPARTMENT AWARDS NEARLY $46,000
TO KANSAS CITY REGIONAL AIR QUALITY PLANNERS

Volume 36-427

Contact: Renee Bungart

(For immediate release)

573-751-4465

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JULY 24, 2008 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded $45,960 to fund air quality planning programs in the Kansas City area.  The grant is a combination of federal and state dollars and will be used to fund air quality planning endeavors from July 1 to June 30.

This subgrant is awarded to the Mid-America Regional Council, which serves as a partner to the state for air quality planning and education in the Kansas City area. A portion of the grant will be used to fund the Regional Air Quality Public Education Program. This program serves to educate Kansas City area residents about protecting air quality and has been instrumental in developing and maintaining the Regional Clean Air Action Plan. The plan promotes voluntary measures that citizens can take every day to reduce their impact on air quality.

The Mid-America Regional Council also assists the state and local air programs with data collection so relevant and quality assured data is available to regional air quality planners. Access to quality assured data allows state air quality planners to develop the necessary strategies to improve air quality in the area.  Their assistance in monitoring the Toxics Release Inventory data helps inform people about the release of toxic air emissions so they can be further controlled.  This ensures air quality and public health are protected.

In addition, this funding allows Mid-America Regional Council to provide area media outlets with information about the Air Quality Index and the eight-hour SkyCast formula to inform Kansas City area residents about increased ozone levels and poor air quality. Because of recent violations of the eight-hour ozone standard, the area is currently controlled by an Ozone Maintenance Plan. The plan contains contingency measures to reduce ozone precursors of volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides. If violations continue, additional measures to reduce pollution will be required.

Exposure to ground-level ozone, or smog, can contribute to health problems. Those who suffer from asthma, heart disease, emphysema and other respiratory diseases may experience increased breathing difficulty. Long-term exposure to high levels of ozone can even cause healthy adults to experience breathing difficulty, especially those who exercise or work outdoors.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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