Regional Air Quality Council helps 'mow down' ozone pollution
Online, April 20, 2010 (Newswire.com) - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Heather Hutchinson, Public Relations Account Manager
Weise Communications
Phone: 303.996.9940 ext.107
Email: heatherhutchinson@weiseideas.com
Sarah Anderson, Communications Manager
Regional Air Quality Council
Phone: 303.629.5450 ext. 220
Email: sanderson@raqc.org
Regional Air Quality Council helps 'mow down' ozone pollution
Mow Down Pollution lawn mower exchange event on May 1
DENVER-April 19, 2010-The Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) will host its annual "Mow Down Pollution" lawn equipment exchange for Colorado residents on Saturday, May 1. Residents are encouraged to trade in their gas-guzzling lawn mowers in exchange for discounts on eco-friendly models.
Mow Down Pollution will be held at the RidgeGate community in Lone Tree just off of Lincoln and I-25. Enter the event near the corner of RidgeGate Parkway and Belvedere Lane just southeast of Target and northwest of the Lone Tree Recreation Center. Participants must register in advance of the event by visiting ozoneaware.org or by calling 1-800-457-8651; a limited number of lawn mowers are available at the event.
With nearly 10 percent of the Denver area's ozone precursor emissions coming from lawn equipment, the switch to eco-friendly alternatives has the potential to make a significant impact on our air quality and health for years to come. At ground level, ozone is a health hazard for everyone, especially the young and elderly. Those who are active and exercise outdoors may experience breathing difficulties and eye irritation. Prolonged exposure may result in reduced resistance to lung infections and colds. Ozone can also trigger attacks and symptoms in individuals with pre-existing conditions, such as asthma or other respiratory infections like chronic bronchitis and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).
"Ground-level ozone pollution is the Denver-area's biggest air quality concern. Its health impacts are becoming more recognized everyday," said Ken Lloyd, Executive Director of the RAQC. "It is important to remember that citizens have the ability to improve our air quality by making simple changes, such as purchasing an eco-friendly lawn mower or only mowing after 5 p.m. if you own a gasoline mower."
At the event, Colorado residents are invited to bring in an old, gasoline-powered lawn mower to exchange it for a discount on a new, Earth-friendly alternative. Neuton provides the eco-friendly mowers. Several models will be available:
• The CE 5 model (retail price $379) will be sold for $150 for those with a mower to exchange and $175 to those without a gasoline lawn mower to recycle.
• The CE 6 model (retail price $479) will be sold for $250 for those with a mower to exchange and $275 to those without a gasoline lawn mower to recycle.
• The Neuton Reel Mower (retail price $99) will be sold for $55 for those with a mower to exchange and $65 to those without a gasoline lawn mower to recycle.
To learn more about these models, please visit www.neutonpower.com/raqc.
For more information about RAQC or the Mow Down Pollution event, please call Sarah Anderson, communications manager, at 303-629-5450 x 220 or visit OzoneAware.org.
About Regional Air Quality Council (www.RAQC.org)
The Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) is the lead air quality-planning agency for the seven-county Denver-metropolitan area. In existence since 1989, the Council's main purpose is to develop plans and programs to keep the region in compliance with federal air quality standards, with significant input from area citizens, businesses and local governments. The RAQC also oversees the development and implementation of air quality outreach and education programs throughout the region. The RAQC has partnered with the RidgeGate development for the Mow Down Pollution event to help raise awareness of air quality issues in Colorado and provide the residents of Colorado with cost effective earth-friendly lawn care options.
The RidgeGate development is a mixed-use sustainable community that will eventually span more than 3,500 acres in Lone Tree, Colorado. For more information on RidgeGate, please visit www.ridgegatecolorado.com.