How does maintaining your vehicle reduce ozone?
Cars with low tires take up to 5% more energy to operate. Vehicles that are not in compliance with state emission standards can emit 5 times as much pollution as those that are well maintained.
Improve Our Air!
How you can make a difference
Ozone can make it more difficult to breathe on hot, sunny days. Other pollutants impact the air we breathe, too. Simple household actions can improve air quality for everyone in our region.
Reduce Ozone: 10 Tips for Individuals
- Modify driving habits: Drive less, drive more slowly, share a ride, chain trips, walk or bike, or take public transportation.
- Thoughtfully refuel: Refuel your car or gas cans in the morning or after 6 p.m., and avoid spilling gas or releasing vapors. Don't overfill your tank; stop at the first click.
- Conserve energy in your home: Hang clothes outside to dry rather than operate a dryer, and set your thermostat to reduce air conditioner use.
- Maintain your vehicle: Get a regular tune up and inflate your tires to the correct pressure.
- Turn your car off: Park the car and walk into the building instead of using the drive through.
- Change mowing habits: Mow the lawn less frequently or mow earlier in the morning or in the evening.
- Maintain your home: Insulate and weather-strip your home.
- Wash efficiently: Run the dishwasher and washing machines only when fully loaded.
- Conserve electricity: Turn off lights and appliances when not in use.
- Reduce fumes: Apply paint with rollers and brushes instead of sprays to cut down on fumes and save paint.
Reduce Ozone: 5 Tips for Business and Industry
- Encourage employees to share rides or carpool.
- Share air quality information with your staff and contacts.
- Use virtual meetings to avoid travel when possible.
- Coordinate voluntary efforts to reduce emissions through technological advances.
- Delay fleet fueling until late in the day.
Why share rides or take public transportation?
Just a 10% increase in public transportation ridership in the five largest U.S. cities would save over 85 millions gallons of gasoline per year. Currently, vehicles on the road account for more than 25% of all air pollution nationwide. U.S. commuters would save 600,000 gallons of gas everyday if they carpooled with just one person.
What's the impact of personal automobiles?
In total, car exhaust is responsible for 60% of all carbon monoxide emissions in the U.S. Driving a personal vehicle is probably your most "polluting" everyday activity. Only 25% of automobile trips are related to work or school commutes. Make plans to drive less!
