Maintaining good air quality is important to the natural environment and to human health. Preventing air pollution is very much intertwined with our choices for energy resources. Perhaps the most important steps we can take as a society and on an individual basis is to focus on limiting our use of fossil fuels and expanding the use of renewable energy resources.
Personal transportation choices can make a big difference in air quality, especially as temperatures rise in the summer. Increased heat and sunlight enhance the formation of ground-level ozone from gases in vehicle emissions. Driving less can keep ozone below levels that are dangerous for asthmatics, the elderly, and citizens with respiratory ailments. Driving less can be accomplished through ride-sharing options, such as carpooling, vanpooling, and riding the bus. Biking and walking are healthy modes of transportation and promote more livable communities.
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| A beautiful Tennessee afternoon. We must remember that even the most beautiful sky images are filled with invisible potential pollutants. It is our shared responsibility to keep the air we breathe clean. |
Keeping your vehicle tuned-up and well-maintained will lower emissions. Older vehicles should be retired -- they are the biggest offenders by burning oil and emitting noxious fumes.
When purchasing a new vehicle, consider a hybrid that uses alternative fuels, such as natural gas, ethanol, or electricity. Emissions from these vehicles will be substantially less than those from traditional gasoline-powered cars. Affordable models are available.
Lawn mowers, weed-eaters, leaf-blowers, chippers, and other small engines have no emission-control requirements. You can minimize ozone formation from these engines by restricting their use to early mornings and evenings. Also, consider letting the grass grow a little longer in hot, dry weather. Your lawn will hold more moisture and shade its roots from extreme heat.
All types of energy conservation initiatives promote cleaner air. Currently, power plants in this country rely on burning coal to produce the majority of our electricity. Emissions from coal-fired power plants have been linked to acid rain. Using less electricity lowers these emissions, especially when the effort is multiplied by the efforts of many concerned citizens, businesses, and industries. Investing in renewable energy sources will protect the quality of the air we breathe.
As our lifestyles move indoors, indoor air quality concerns are increasing.
For more information about the Tennessee Pollution Prevention Partnership, please contact Karen Grubbs at 615-532-0463, or 1-800-734-3619 or by email at [email protected].
