Spare the Air
Clean Air Action Days
On very hot summer days, pollution from cars, other gas-powered engines and smog-producing chemicals in paints and aerosol sprays can create unhealthy levels of smog. Smog (also known as ground-level ozone) irritates the respiratory system, reduces lung function, aggravates asthma, can cause permanent lung damage, and is suspected to have other health impacts. Smog is especially harmful to young children, older people and individuals with chronic lung problems.
During the summer, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority alert citizens when smog is predicted to exceed federal health standards. On these Clean Air Action Days, residents are encouraged to avoid activities that create more smog. Register for Air Pollution Advisories from DEQ so you know when to make an extra effort to reduce your contribution to pollution.
Be a Summertime Smog-Buster
Leave Your Car at Home. Commute by transit, carpool, bicycle, or walk. For information on transit and dial-a-ride services statewide, visit TripCheck. And for sound advice on a variety of ways to maintain your mobility while driving less, visit Drive Less. Save More.
Don't Gas Up. Postpone refueling your car until another day, or if you must, fill the tank after sundown. The fumes that escape during fueling (even with vapor recovery systems in place) are "cooked" in the sunlight and turn into smog. The sunlight is less intense by early evening, so fewer vapors turn into smog.
Drive Green. Check out the Oregon Environmental Council’s Drive Green Save Green campaign for a potpourri of ideas for maintaining your car so that it’s a clean driving machine.
Postpone Mowing. Avoid using lawn mowers or other gasoline- or diesel-powered machinery on smoggy days, and consider cleaner equipment over the long run. Electric-powered lawn and garden tools produce essentially no pollution, and you can practically jog with pollution-free push mowers.
Clean Green. Most cleaning products contain an array of organic compounds, solvents, and toxic chemicals that contribute to the formation of smog and have other health impacts. Try biodegradable, non-toxic cleaning products instead.
Paint Right. Whenever possible, choose water-based latex paints for your painting projects. On smoggy days especially, avoid using oil-based paints and varnishes, which contain a high-percentage of smog-forming solvents.
Allow Yourself a Bad Hair Day. Don't touch the hairspray! And avoid using any personal care or other consumer products that come in aerosol spray cans.
Barbecue without Lighter Fluid. Use a chimney starter instead. If you can, wait until the evening when the weather isn’t as hot.
Skip Spray Pesticides. Any material sprayed onto a lawn can end up in the air. Avoid spraying on a hot or windy day and look into non-toxic or least-toxic pest and weed prevention.
Conserve electricity. Do not overcool or overheat your home. Turn off lights and appliances that are not in use. Wash clothes and dishes with full loads and close blinds during the day to keep the house cooler.
