What is the Spare the Air Program?

<Company Name> is joining more than 2,200 other companies in the 2005 Spare the Air program! Spare the Air began in 1991 and is a voluntary air pollution reduction program sponsored by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. On days when ozone (smog) levels are expected to violate state and federal health standards, residents are asked to refrain from activities that cause pollution. If everyone makes clean air choices, the air will be healthier to breathe.

What Creates Smog?

The number one source of smog in the Bay Area is the automobile. More than 6.8 million people live in the Bay Area, driving 4.6 million cars 144 million miles a day. That creates over 322 tons of air pollution each day! Other sources of air pollution include consumer spray products like hairspray and household cleaners (52 tons per day), gasoline powered lawn and garden equipment (13 tons per day), recreational boats (29 tons), and oil-based paints, varnishes & other coatings (25 tons).

How Does Air Pollution Affect People?

High ozone levels contribute to respiratory problems such as asthma, shortness of breath, pain during deep breaths (especially when exercising outdoors), bronchitis, coughing and wheezing. The people most susceptible to ozone's harmful effects are children, whose lungs are still developing, seniors, and people with preexisting respiratory problems.

Here's How It Will Work at <Company Name>

When the Air District predicts that ozone levels for the next day will violate state or federal health standards, it will fax and/or e-mail a notice to <Company or Program Coordinator Name> at approximately 1:15 PM. <Department or Program Coordinator> will then turn around and notify you via <Voice Mail, E-Mail, Signs in Lobbies, etc.>.

The Air District will also notify print media, TV and radio stations, so they can pass the word on to the general public. In addition, the Air District will post a notice on the Spare the Air web site, www.sparetheair.org, and on its toll-free number, 1(800) HELP AIR.

What Can You Do To Spare the Air?

We at <Company Name> play an important role in the Spare the Air campaign. Our combined efforts can go a long way towards improving air quality on smoggy days. Here's what you can do to Spare the Air...

* Leave your car at home on Spare the Air days. Try taking transit, carpooling, telecommuting, walking or biking to work instead. Cars are the number one source of air pollution in the Bay Area.

* Don't use gas-powered lawn mowers and leaf blowers on those days. These tools create about 9 tons of air pollution per day!

* Avoid using consumer spray products like hairspray and household cleaners. Instead, try solids, gels, or liquids.

* Ignite your barbecue with an electric or chimney starter only — don't use lighter fluid.

* Refuel your car after the sun has gone down - and DON'T top off the tank. Fumes from refueling add about 11.2 tons of pollution, and spillage from topping off adds about 1.7 tons per day.

These are just some of the things you can do. For more information, contact <Program Coordinator> or visit www.sparetheair.org.

Thanks for helping <Company Name> Spare the Air!