Miss Indiana, IDEM team up to help environment

Public service announcements kick off clean air initiative

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Megan Meadors, Miss Indiana 2008, has teamed up with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) to create the agency's new Clean Air Indiana public service announcements (PSAs). In them, Meadors touts IDEM's message that "it's up to us to preserve air quality for future generations by driving less, idling less, and by walking or riding a bike more."

"Megan was wonderful to work with," said IDEM Commissioner Thomas Easterly. "She supports the Clean Air Indiana message and the efforts we are taking to challenge individuals to do their part. She's also helping us encourage businesses to implement projects or initiatives which will produce measurable and transferable clean air results."Ozone season started May 1. Known as a summer pollutant, ground-level ozone forms when sunlight and hot weather bake vehicle exhaust, factory emissions and gasoline vapors. While necessary in the upper atmosphere, ozone is a respiratory irritant at ground level that can make breathing difficult. Children, the elderly and anyone with heart or lung problems are more sensitive to ground-level ozone.

"Air quality in Indiana has improved significantly in recent years as a result of new and revised regulations and voluntary efforts to reduce emissions," said Commissioner Easterly. "These public service announcements encourage Hoosiers to take voluntary steps that will continue to improve air quality."

IDEM's Clean Air Indiana campaign is an extension of last year's Ozone Knockout campaign. New this year is a business challenge that offers Hoosier companies unique recognition opportunities for voluntarily reducing air emissions that contribute to ground-level ozone pollution. To participate, businesses must complete and submit a project proposal to IDEM by June 5, 2009. Proposed projects must be implemented within 12 to 18 months. Projects should focus on producing reductions in ozone-contributing emissions, such as volatile organic compounds and/or nitrogen oxides.

Businesses can call (317) 234-5286 or (800) 988-7901 for more information. To find the PSAs, visit the Clean Air Indiana Web site at www.CleanAir.IN.gov and click on the Clean Air Newsroom.