Clean Air! Things You Can Do While Traveling

Ways to Reduce Air Pollution

From -  http://www.epa.gov/oar/oaqps/peg_caa/reduce.html

Drive Wise

Plan your trips. Save gasoline and reduce air pollution.

·         Keep tires properly inflated and aligned.

·         In the summertime, fill gas tank during cooler evening hours to cut down on evaporation. Avoid spilling gas and don't "top off" the tank. Replace gas tank cap tightly.

·         Avoid waiting in long drive-thru lines, for example, at fast-food restaurants or banks. Park your car and go in.

·         When possible, use public transportation, walk, or ride a bike.

·         Get regular engine tune ups and car maintenance checks (especially for the spark plugs).

·         Use an energy-conserving (EC) grade motor oil.

·         Ask your employer to consider flexible work schedules or telecommuting.

·         Report smoking vehicles to your local air agency.

·         Join a carpool or vanpool to get to work.

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From - http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/air/tsb/ams/aqmdp/share.htm

Every time we drive to school, use our heater or air conditioner, clean our windows, or even style our hair, we make choices that affect air pollution. These steps, as well as many others, are things we all can do to help reduce air pollution.

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• Limit driving by carpooling, using public transportation, biking and walking.
• Combine errands for fewer trips.
• Keep your automobile well tuned and maintained. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on routine maintenance, such as changing the oil and filters, and checking tire pressure and wheel alignment.
• Avoid excessive idling of your automobile.
• Use gasoline stations that have special vapor recovery nozzles.
• Be careful not to spill gasoline when filling up your car or gasoline powered lawn and garden equipment.
• Use water-based or solvent free paints whenever possible and buy products that say "low VOC".
• Purchase and use low-polluting outboard marine engines and personal watercraft (4-stroke and direct fuel injection 2-stroke outboard marine engines).
• Advocate for emission reductions from power plants and more stringent national vehicle emission standards.

For more information, contact the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, Air Resources Division at (603) 271-1370.

From National Geographic; http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/5-easy-steps-reduce-air-pollution-2634.html

Reduce the amount of time you spend in the car. Carpool or use public transportation whenever you can. For shorter distances, walk or ride your bike to do errands. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, changing to carpooling can save a person over $1,000 per year. If you avoid driving alone only one day every week for a year, you can save hundreds of dollars in expenses, not to mention the wear and tear on your car. When you must drive, refill your gas tank during colder times of the day and avoid spilling gas to prevent evaporation into the atmosphere. (See References 2)

Improve your fuel economy. According to the EPA, a 1 percent increase in fuel economy equals a 1 percent decrease in carbon dioxide emissions (see References 1). Avoid accelerating quickly, braking hard and driving at high speeds, particularly when in heavy traffic. Remove excess weight from your car and remove unused roof racks or bike carriers, which cause drag.

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