Breathe Easy with the Clean Air Connection

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.