What actions can I take to help reduce air pollution?
By changing your behavior slightly, you can play a part in reducing air pollution. Following any or all of these suggested actions can really make a difference:
- Try carpooling/vanpooling to work or college. Fewer vehicles on the road mean less air pollution. Call RIDESHARE at (937) 223-SAVE or 1-800-743-SAVE to register for a free matchlist of potential carpoolers/vanpoolers. Check out www.miamivalleyrideshare.org and sign up online.
- Try riding the bus. A full bus means less vehicles on the road causing air pollution.
- Get your car tuned up. A tuned engine produces lower emissions, runs more efficiently, and makes your car last longer.
- Mow your lawn and use other gasoline-powered equipment only after 6:00 p.m., when temperatures are cooler and smog is less likely to form. Or, try using battery-powered lawn equipment instead.
- When filling up at the gasoline station, don’t top-off your tank. Try to refuel after 6:00 p.m. when smog is less likely to form. Plus, make sure your gasoline cap fits tightly so vapors don’t escape. A leaking or missing gas cap can cost you almost $35 a year in lost gasoline through evaporation. While you’re losing gasoline, the emissions add to the air pollution problem.
- Avoid letting your car idle. For example, turn off the engine while waiting at drive-thru windows.
- If you have more than one car, use the newest one most often. Newer cars tend to produce fewer emissions than older cars.
- Avoid jackrabbit accelerations when driving. You'll produce fewer emissions and be a safer driver too.
- Plan ahead and combine errands and trips so you can limit cold starts. Delay running errands until evening.
- Walk or ride a bike instead of driving. You'll get the double benefit of doing something that's good for the air and for your health.
- Eliminate outdoor burning - do not burn leaves, wood or trash. Mulch or compost leaves/yard waste.
- Reduce or eliminate fireplace and wood stove use. Consider retrofitting wood stoves with a filter or use gas logs instead of wood.
- Consider high efficiency/HEPA filters for your indoor heating/air conditioning systems. Reduce the amount of indoor air pollution to alleviate breathing problems.
