Ozone
Action
Partnership
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Ozone
Action Tips
Tips
for Businesses/Industries
There are a number of voluntary actions businesses and organizations
can take on Ozone Action Days to reduce emissions and help prevent
high ozone levels and related health problems. By following some
of these simple steps, you will help our region's air quality.
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Keep
employees aware of the Ozone Action effort.
 | Use e-mail to alert employees about Ozone Action Days. |
| Include articles about Ozone Action in employee newsletters
or with paychecks. |
| Post announcements of Ozone Action Days at prominent locations
and encourage employees to follow the tips for reducing ground-level
ozone. |
| Use Intranets and closed-circuit television to list Ozone Action
tips. |
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Reschedule
discretionary activities wherever possible, including lawn maintenance
(if gasoline-powered equipment is used) or paving.
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Conserve
energy by turning thermostats up a notch or two. And turn off
unnecessary lights.
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Reduce
or eliminate idling, especially of 18-wheelers and other large
vehicles.
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Make
Ozone Action Days casual dress days as an incentive for employees
to practice Ozone Actions.
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Sponsor
Brown Bag Lunch Programs on Ozone Action Days to encourage employees
to eat in.
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As
you replace vehicles, buy lower emitting vehicles, or better yet,
alternative fuel vehicles, for your fleet.
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Reduce
the number of cars on the road during rush hour by re-arranging
work schedules using flex time, compressed work weeks, or telecommuting.
Communicate by conference calls instead of driving to meetings.
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Encourage
carpools, vanpools, public transportation and the use of bicycles
among employees on Ozone Action Days.
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If
you have boilers, you may be able to adjust the operation to reduce
nitrogen oxide emissions.
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Tips
for Individuals
Without even realizing it, we all help create ozone - and we can
all do our share to prevent it. By taking simple, voluntary actions,
you can help keep the air clean and healthy to breathe. The best
part is that everyone acting together can make a big difference.
Here are some things that can help on Ozone Action Days and everyday:
In
Your Car
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Limit
your daytime driving. Consider a car pool or ride the bus to work.
For short trips and errands, think about riding your bike or walking.
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When
you drive, try to minimize "cold starts" by combining
trips and errands so the catalytic converter on your vehicle remains
warm. Most vehicle emissions occur in the first few minutes of
engine operation, when the converter is cold and inefficient.
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Reduce
unnecessary engine idling by parking your automobile and walking
into a building rather than using the drive-through lane.
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Maintain
your vehicle according to the manufacturer's engine tune-up and
emission control standards. The emissions from one poorly-maintained
car equal those from 25 properly-functioning cars!
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Postpone
mowing your lawn with gas-powered mowers until evening. Or better
yet, relax and mow another day! Or use an electric-powered or
push mower.
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Conserve
electricity. Don't overcool your home, and turn off lights and
appliances that aren't in use. Wash clothes and dishes with
full loads. Energy conservation not only helps the environment
but saves you money as well.
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Avoid
using charcoal lighter fluid when grilling. Try new ways of
starting up your grill, such as a charcoal chimney. Or use an
electric or gas grill.
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