UPDATE: LANSING - In 2005, the Tri-County area fell below national ambient area quality standards. CATA recieved federal funding to help improve the air quality.

"Now, Ozone is naturally occurring, however, in the ground level area, it's caused by a chemical reaction. Essentially, that means it causes it to be difficult to breathe, and its bad for people who are elderly, who have asthma or other respiratory illness, or for children.Even just for adults who are generally active outdoors," said Ashley Hale, Clean Commute Options Coordinator at CATA.

"So eliminating the number of single occupant vehicles on the road, reduces the chance of having that poor air quality, reducing the amount of chemicals that are being put in the air," she said.

The CATA Clean Commute Options program allows people to sign up online or through a paper application. You pick what ways you'd like to commute, which can include carpooling, biking, or taking the bus, and then you give the locations you need to commute to. CATA gives you the connections to help you figure out what works best for you.

ORIGINAL STORY: LANSING - CATA is helping keep our air healthy through the Clean Commute Options program. Watch Meridian Magazine for details.