What Can You Do to Help Make the Air Cleaner?

The Environmental Protection Agency works constantly to make the air cleaner across the country through air quality standards and rules reducing pollution from power plants, industries and diesel trucks, buses and construction equipment. But you have a role to play, too. Any time you use energy – whether it’s gasoline, diesel, electricity or wood -- you contribute to air pollution in your community and communities downwind.

Saving energy reduces pollution – and it can save you money. Use the following guidelines to help keep air cleaner in your community.

You can help reduce pollution in your community by following these guidelines. These recommendations are especially important when ozone is expected to be unhealthy:

Conserve electricity and set your air conditioner at a higher temperature.
Choose a cleaner commute—share a ride to work or use public transportation. Combine errands and reduce trips.
Bicycle or walk to errands when possible.
Defer use of gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment for later in the day, or for days when the air quality is better.
Refuel cars and trucks after dusk.
Limit engine idling.
Get regular engine tune ups and car maintenance checks (especially for the spark plugs).
Avoid spilling gas and don't "top off" the tank. Replace gas tank cap tightly.
Properly dispose of household paints, solvents and pesticides. Store these materials in airtight containers.
Paint with a brush, not a sprayer.
Buy low VOC paints for indoor and outdoor painting jobs.

You can help prevent or reduce unhealthy levels of particle pollution with these actions: :

Reduce or eliminate fireplace and wood stove use.
Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
Avoid burning leaves, trash and other materials.
Use household, workshop, and garden chemicals in ways that keep evaporation to a minimum, or try to delay using them when poor air quality is forecast.
Replace your car's air filter and oil regularly

For more information go to the following websites: