Ozone Pollution: Know
the Facts
The
Facts About Small Gas-Powered Engines
Small gas-powered
engines, such as lawn mowers, are major contributors to the production
of ground level ozone. EPA estimates that 17 million gallons of
fuel are spilled each year, just refueling lawn equipment. That
is more fuel than could be carried by a convoy of tanker trucks
22.5 miles long. Plus, on Air Quality
Action Days, consider the following:
When
you idle your car unnecessarily - you get ZERO miles per gallon.
Make your car an idle free zone, it just takes the turn of the
key.
| • |
Mowing your lawn for one hour emits VOC amounts equivalent
to driving a late-model car from Baltimore, MD to Hartford,
CT, or approximately 310 miles.
|
| • |
If 20% of us postponed mowing our lawns on Air Quality
Action Days, we would reduce VOC's by an amount equal to
the emissions released by over a million new cars driving
20-30 miles a day. |
The
Facts About Household Consumer Products
Many household
products contain solvents - chemicals that contribute to ground
level ozone. Solvents are used to enhance cleaning qualities or
dilute ingredients in the product. Items such as deodorants, air
fresheners, household cleaners, engine degreasers, windshield
washer fluids, and oil-based paints contain chemicals that contribute
to the formation of ground-level ozone. Hair spray, cleaning products,
and insecticides are other examples of common consumer products
that contain ozone-forming chemicals.
There is
hope for the environmentally-conscious consumer. Try using pumps
rather than sprays. Also, look for products that contain "Low
VOC" labels or labels that meet California or New York standards
for air quality. Finally, consider these alternatives to some
of the more common household products that factor into the formation
of ground-level ozone.
If
You Use |
Try
Using |
Aerosol
containers |
Pump
containers |
Air
fresheners |
Potpourri
|
Correction
fluid |
Correction
tape |
Mothballs
|
Cedar
blocks |
Perfume
|
Natural
oils |
Glass
cleaner |
Vinegar
and water |
Organic
pesticides |
Boric
acid |
Oil
based paints |
Water
–based paints |
The
Facts About Oil-Based Paints
Solvents
in oil-based paints contribute to ground level ozone, with most
pollutants being emitted during the drying process. Traditional
water-based paints, on the other hand, contain very low levels
of solvents - about 2% to 10% in contrast to a 30% solvent content
in oil-based paints. Look for water-based paints that contain
little or no VOC's. When switching to a water-based paint, consult
the manufacturer's label regarding durability and appropriate
uses.
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