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Writer's
note: Asthma and ozone
DFW
clean air
More
on ozone from the EPA
Great
Debate
What
a Quack
The
Schoolhouse Rocker
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A
few tips from the Environmental Protection Agency on what you can
do to help improve air quality:
- Combine
your errands into one car trip. When you first start a car after
it has been sitting for more than an hour, it pollutes up to five
times more than when the engine's warm. Better yet, ride your
bike, walk or in-line skate instead of driving. Vehicles on the
road create more than 25 percent of all air pollution nationwide.
- Take
mass transit, share a ride, car pool or telecommute to work when
possible. Even if you do it just once or twice a week, you'll
reduce traffic congestion and pollution and save money. If your
area has a travel and transit information network, use it by calling,
visiting the web site or tuning into the cable station. Get travel
and transit updates before you leave home and you won't get stuck
in a jam.
- Take
care of your car. Getting regular maintenance and tune-ups, changing
the oil and checking tire inflation can improve gas mileage, extend
your car's life and increase its resale value. It can also reduce
traffic congestion due to preventable breakdowns, and it could
reduce your car's emissions by more than half.
- Get
fuel when it's cool, and don't top off the tank. Refueling during
cooler periods of the day or in the evening can prevent gas fumes
from heating up and creating ozone. Topping off the tank releases
gas fumes into the air and cancels the benefits of the pump's
anti-pollution devices. Stopping short of a full tank is safer
and reduces pollution.
- Share
these tips with others. If everyone took just a few of these steps,
it could make a big difference and result in cleaner air.
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