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IDEM > Your Community > Be Air Aware > Be Air Aware: Simple Steps Be Air Aware: Simple Steps

Air pollution is a problem for all of us, but each one of us can be a part of the solution to this problem. The choices that we make individually every day can decrease air pollution and can help protect our health. We have the power to change our homes as well as our transportation and consumer habits in ways which aid the reduction of air pollution. The following list suggests ways to help you do your part!

Tips regarding your car

  • Carpool, use public transportation, walk, or ride a bike.
  • Combine your errands into one trip and park centrally, walking as much as possible.
  • Choose your route before you leave to avoid traffic tie-ups.
  • Reduce time driving, especially during peak traffic periods or hot days.
  • Limit engine idling time.
  • Accelerate gradually, maintain speed limit, and use cruise control on the highway.
  • Avoid idling in long drive-thru lines.
  • Keep your vehicle well maintained.
  • Use an energy-conserving grade of motor oil.
  • Change air and oil filters regularly.
  • Keep tires properly inflated and aligned.
  • Repair all vehicle leaks.
  • Make an appointment with a repair tech if "check engine light" is illuminated.
  • Fill gas tank during cooler evening hours to reduce evaporation.
  • Avoid spilling gas and don't "top off" the tank.
  • Replace gas tank cap tightly.

Tips for Home

  • Delay using gas-powered vehicles or tools, including recreational vehicles and lawn mowers until cool, evening hours.
  • Use energy-efficient lighting and appliances.
  • Turn off appliances and lights when not in use.
  • Use the microwave to cook small meals.
  • Plant deciduous trees to provide shade in the summer and to allow light in the winter.
  • Recycle paper, plastic, glass bottles, aluminum cans and cardboard.
  • Reuse materials like paper bags and boxes.
  • Keep household paints, solvents and pesticides in air-tight containers.
  • Keep woodstoves and fireplaces well maintained.
  • Keep air conditioning and refrigeration systems well maintained.
  • Reduce air conditioning and heating use when possible.
  • Check filters monthly to ensure cleaner air.
  • Insulate your home, water heater and pipes.

Tips for Work

Employee/Employer Activities

  • Designate a work place coordinator and implement an Air Quality Action Day program.
  • Notify employees of upcoming Air Quality Action Days through e-mail memos, banners, intercom announcements, etc. Also, have your contact person ensure that managers remind their employees.
  • Allow your staff to work at home, if possible, through telecommuting.
  • Use teleconferencing instead of driving to meetings.
  • Obtain and promote transit maps and schedules for nearby routes to your employees.
  • Start a rideshare program for employees.
  • Work a flexible schedule and commute during non-peak driving times.
  • Buy a bike rack for your employees and encourage them to use it, or allow employees to keep their bicycles safely indoors.
  • Pack a lunch and eat in or walk to lunch.
  • Organize deliveries from popular local restaurants.
  • Create a special lunch discount in the cafeteria to encourage lunch on site.
  • Buy energy-efficient computers and lighting.
  • Tturn off all equipment and lights when not in use.
  • Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
  • Keep fleet vehicles well maintained.
  • Recycle office products.
  • Buy new products that have less packaging and are reusable.

Fleet Maintenance Activities

  • Delay refueling vehicles and equipment on hot sunny days until late afternoon or the early next morning.
  • Schedule deliveries from your site together to eliminate multiple trips.
  • Turn off vehicles when loading or unloading.

Industrial Activities

  • Defer cleaning with volatile solvents until late in the day.
  • Defer high emission or batch production activities until evening shifts.
  • Make water-based latex paints, stains, and sealers your first choice.
  • Implement money saving pollution prevention actions in such areas as waste separation, solvent recycling, or the use of high-efficiency electric motors.