Clean Air Choices

The ten best ways to Spare the Air

1. Drive less.
Cars are THE major source of air pollution in the Bay Area. Before jumping into your vehicle to run an errand, or even go to work, consider alternative means of transportation. Can you get to your destination by walking, biking or public transit? If you leave your car at home one day a week, you prevent 55 pounds of air pollution each year from being emitted into our environment. And think of the money you'll save on gas, parking and car upkeep!

2. Take public transit.
The Bay Area is served by a number of transit agencies. Take transit and let someone else deal with the traffic. Treat yourself to a stress-free commute! You'll also find that public transit can get you to just about any event or weekend activity that might be in your plans. Call 511 or visit 511.org for information on how local transit can get you where you're going.

3. Carpool or vanpool to work a few days, or even one day a week.
Why not share a ride? Whether you're driving to work, the gym, a baseball game or to the beach, find a carpool partner. Take turns driving and give yourselves a break from road-stress a few days a week. And remember, many employers and counties have an Emergency Ride Home program that makes cars or taxi vouchers available to carpoolers/vanpoolers and transit-takers in case of emergency or a situation in which your original ride might be unavailable to you. Call 511 or visit 511.org to sign up online.

4. Telecommute.
Why commute at all if you can arrange to work from home? You'll save commute time and expenses. Even if you do this just one day a week, you will be making a difference. A little over one pound of pollution is saved when you and your car stay at home.

5. Refuel in the evening and never top off.
Putting gas into your vehicle releases Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) into the air. Throughout the day, these VOCs mix with oxides of nitrogen (NOx) in the air, "cook" in the summer heat, and form ground-level ozone. Refueling in the evening decreases the opportunity for VOCs to form into ozone.

6. Make fewer trips and trip-link.
Cold engines pollute up to five times more than warm ones. A cold engine is one that has been sitting for over an hour. When possible, link all of your errands together into one trip to minimize "cold starts". Postpone errands on a Spare the Air Day.

7. Avoid consumer spray products.
In the Bay Area, 50 tons per day of pollution come from spray products. That's more VOC emissions than from all the Bay Area oil refineries! These aerosol products include hairspray, furniture polish, cooking sprays, bathroom cleaners, air fresheners, antiperspirants, insecticides, and hobby craft sprays. Hair spray alone contributes 12 tons of pollution per day! When selecting consumer products, consider solids, sticks, and gels instead. They are more environmentally friendly consumer choices.

8. Use water-based paints.
Oil-based paints and varnishes contain a high percentage of VOCs that evaporate into the atmosphere and create smog. Water-based latex paints are less polluting and easier to wash off your hands and equipment.

9. It's OK to barbecue, but DON'T USE LIGHTER FLUID!
Lighter fluid literally goes up in smoke, causing a half-ton of smog each day in the Bay Area. Use an electric or a chimney briquette starter instead- you'll actually get a faster start.

10. Do your garden chores gasoline-free.
On an hour-for-hour basis, a gasoline-powered lawn mower produces as much pollution as 40 new cars. On Spare the Air days, don't use gasoline-powered equipment like leaf blowers and chain saws. Put off lawn care for a day or two until the air is cleaner - then get a good workout by pushing that trusty, old hand mower!

More Transportation Tips

· When you must drive, drive smoothly - this will save fuel and lower emissions.
· Organize a parent carpool in your neighborhood to take the kids to and from school.
· Share a ride with a friend to social and recreational activities.
· Walk or ride a bike for short morning trips or where overexertion isn't likely - unhealthy pollution levels usually occur mid-afternoon or later.
· Purchase a reduced-emission vehicle - visit www.arb.ca.gov to see the latest list!

More Home & Recreation Tips

· Avoid activities that use small gasoline-powered internal combustion engines (ICEs), such as trail bikes, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), chain saws, leaf blowers and lawn mowers.
· On Spare the Air days, postpone outings on gasoline or diesel-powered recreational boats because they are high pollution sources.
· Use an electric or a chimney briquette starter to start your barbecue. · Replace your old barbecue with a propane gas-powered unit.
· If you must use a pesticide, use one that is applied in either granular or water-based solution because they do not contribute to the smog problem.
· Use water-based paints to reduce the amount of solvents that evaporate into the atmosphere and contribute to the smog problem.
· Check the weather page of your local newspaper for air quality information.

More Work Tips

· Take your lunch to work and avoid a mid-day trip.
· Sign up for AirAlert in the Bay Area, a free personal air quality notification system via e-mail, text pager or digital cellular phone - visit airalert.sparetheair.org
· Visit SpareTheAir.org to find out daily pollution levels in the Bay Area and view Ozone Movies.
· For the daily Bay Area air quality forecast, call 1-800-HELP-AIR.
· Ask your employer about telecommuting.

Tips on How to Protect Your Family from the Health Effects of Smoke

· Pay attention to local air quality reports and stay alert to any news coverage or health warnings related to smoke.
· Use common sense. If it looks smoky outside, it's probably not a good time to mow the lawn or go for a run. And it's probably not a good time for your children to play outdoors.
· Check the Air Quality Index (AQI) forecast for your area. The links to this information are on the left menu bar of the this page. The AQI, based on data from local air quality monitors, tells you about the daily air quality in your area and recommends precautions you can take to protect your health. As smoke gets worse, the concentration of particles in the air changes - and so do the steps you should take to protect yourself.
· Run your air conditioner, if you have one. Keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent bringing additional smoke inside. Note: If you don't have an air conditioner, staying inside with the windows closed may be dangerous in extremely hot weather. In these cases, seek alternative shelter.
· Help keep particle levels inside lower. When smoke levels are high, try to avoid using anything that burns, such as wood fireplaces, gas logs, gas stoves - and even candles! Don't vacuum. That stirs up particles already inside your home. And don't smoke. That puts even more pollution in your lungs, and in the lungs of people around you. If you have asthma or other lung disease, make sure you follow your doctor's directions about taking your medicines and following your asthma management plan. Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen.
· If you have heart or lung disease, if you are an older adult, or if you have children, talk with your doctor about whether and when you should leave the area. When smoke is heavy for a prolonged period of time, fine particles can build up indoors even though you may not be able to see them.