Clean up Your Act
Maricopa County’s Running Out of Air campaign recommends ways to prevent pollution, such as carpooling and using public transportation. Here are some other things you can do to clear the air:
• Don’t go through restaurant or bank drive-thrus. Idling your car for extended periods releases unnecessary emissions.
• Ask your employer about telecommuting to keep your vehicle off the road. If you do drive, keep your tires properly inflated, get regular tune-ups and drive the speed limit to optimize your vehicle’s gas mileage. According to AAA Arizona, driving 75 mph instead of 65 mph can lower your fuel economy by 10 percent.
• Refuel your vehicle after dark or during cooler hours of the day. Gas, which is sold by volume, expands in the heat, emitting more ozone pollution. This also means you end up paying more at the pump for the same amount of gas.
• Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment, particularly during high-pollution advisories. Don’t use leaf blowers; the dust they stir up contributes to particulate pollution.
• Procrastinate big painting projects until after ozone season, or use low-VOC paints or water-based paints.
For more suggestions, visit runningoutofair.com.