Press Release

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August 28, 2003

West Contra Costa County residents are invited to a special training to learn how to reduce the impacts of air pollution in their communities. The free session will be held Wednesday, September 3, from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Nevin Community Center, 598 Nevin Ave in Richmond.

"The purpose of this training is to help residents learn about the major sources of air pollution in West Contra Costa County that contribute to the Bay Area's ozone problem," says Lola Ejiwunmi, Air Monitor Intern with Neighborhood House of North Richmond. "We'll also identify strategies they think can work to reduce these sources."

The event is co-sponsored by the Community Health Initiative, the West County Toxics Coalition, Communities for a Better Environment, Contra Costa Health Services and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Light refreshments will be provided.

"It will serve as an 'Ozone 101' class to prepare community members to give feedback to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) at their Ozone Attainment Plan meetings in September," says Ejiwunmi.

"We need the community's involvement to reduce ozone air pollution," says Rubye Sherrod, a West County senior resident. "We have a say in making our air cleaner. We need to tell the decision makers what our concerns are."

BAAQMD will host two public comment meetings on their Ozone Attainment Plan: September 4 in Rodeo at the Rodeo Senior Center, 189 Parker Ave. at Third Street, and September 11 in Richmond at the Nevin Center, 598 Nevin Ave. Both meetings will be from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Information on Bay Area air quality and copies of the plans are available at www.baaqmd.gov. For more information about the September 3 community ozone training call 925-313-6764.

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