On Ozone alert days . . .

[taterguy]

Should people walk or bike to work to minimize pollution or should people drive to work so they won't be outside too long and expose themselves to atmospheric toxins.

I'm confused.

[karlrschneider]

1. machts nichts, probably

:shrug:

[AnneD]

2. Sadly,

I have experience with this. I noticed years ago (98,99) that my asthmatic kids came into the clinic by the droves on high ozone days. They usually advise the elderly, young kids, and those with respiratory problems to stay indoors. Ozone tends to build up and is at it's highest at 5-7 (here anyway). I would say short walks and bike rides would be ok if you were healthy. You might take mass transit if you can't handel it.

[taterguy]

3. What's the definition of short?

Not being snarky, "short" means different things to different people.
And of course one of my short bike rides would equal a very long walk for me.

[AnneD]

4. Just a guess on my part...

but anything over 30min-1 hour (depending on the exertion level). I would be paying attention to my breathing. Any irritation of throat, lungs or a tightness in the chest would be a warning. Any coughing or wheezing is not a good sign. You don't want asthma like symptoms.

[taterguy]

5. So people who live within an hour's biking distance of work shouldn't drive?

That would solve the whole ozone problem right there!

Lots of people who live closer than 12 miles to their job choose to drive. :)

[AnneD]

6. I think we are miscommunicating....

30 min to an hour is the max time to be out and there are several levels of an ozone alert. In a red alert I would be out there for no more than 30 min-making a one way trip 15 minutes-less if I started feeling it. In an orange alert-an hour round trip-30 minutes 1 way. I live fairly close-mile wise-but there are no bike paths and a highway bridge I need to cross (both very unsafe and illegal in the case of the bridge). The place to catch the bus is almost to my job. I drove last year. BUT, they have some new buses with bike racks so that might soon be a possibility for me to bike/bus to work, but there is no guarantee of getting a new bus.

You should consider your health, heat, shower facilities, etc. Many folks multitask-like drop kids off on the way in and shop on the way home, something that is hard to do on a bike. I think do it if you can-use fuel wisely if you can't.