Take Action: Take Action
Every Day
Taking
part in Air Quality Action Days is an important step in improving
air quality in our community. But there are certain proactive
measures you can take throughout the year to safeguard your health
and reduce dangerous pollution levels. Following are some tips
that you can use every day to do your share to clear the air:
When
you idle you car unnecessarily - you get ZERO mile per gallon.
Make your car an idle free zone, it just takes the turn of a
key.
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Keep your vehicle maintained. Change your oil and filter
regularly, and your fuel and air filters once a year, or
every 12,000 miles. Additonally, keep your tires at the
correct pressure and in alignment. Cars that are tuned with
properly inflated tires and clean filters not only use less
gasoline, they also run better.
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Practice trip-chaining. Chances are you're already doing
it! By organizing and combining several trips into one outing,
you will lessen the wear-and-tear on your car and keep it
from experiencing cold starts. Starting your car after it
has been sitting for an hour or more may cause up to five
times as much air pollution than when the engine is warm!
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Avoid idling your engine whenever possible by limiting
your use of drive-through windows at restaurants, banks,
dry cleaners, etc. An idling engine emits volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), both chemical
factors in the formation of ground-level ozone when mixed
with heat and sunlight.
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Explore alternate commute options. Ground-level ozone
pollution and traffic congestion go hand-in-hand. Many of
the alternate commute options suggested for use on Air Quality
Action Days can also help ease traffic congestion and improve
air quality in our community throughout the year. Suggest
to your employer the possibility of telecommuting certain
days during the week or use public transportation, such
as PanTran, the Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority's public
transportation service. Carpooling is another alternative.
Sharing a ride takes one car off the road for every rider,
improves air quality, and provides the opportunity to make
new friends!
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Avoid spilling gasoline, as spillage evaporates into the
air, emitting VOCs. To avoid spillage, don't top off the
tank when you refuel your car and use a funnel or spout,
both of which help to prevent spills, when handling gasoline
for lawn and garden maintenance purposes.
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Consider using lawn and garden equipment that doesn't
require gasoline. Options include simple garden tools, electric-powered
equipment, or rechargeable equipment.
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Conserve energy - at home, at work, everywhere, every
day.
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