Tips for High Ozone Days The following air quality tips are good practice all the time. During high ozone days and during red/purple days on the air quality index (AQI), these suggestions become especially important.
Leave your car. Take the bus, car pool, van pool, walk, or ride your bike to your destination. Bring your lunch to school or work so you won't need to drive during the middle of the day. To find possible commuting partners, try visiting Share the Ride, a statewide rideshare matching service, or Car Pool World, a national commuting search for regular work days or one time trips.
Drive it right. If you must drive, use cruise control whenever possible and stay within the speed limit. Avoid sudden stops and starts. Avoid idling for long periods of time, such as in the drive-through lanes. Plan your trips so that you combine short trips whenever possible. At lunch time, walk to a nearby restaurant or share a ride with a coworker.
Do it at dusk. Postpone refueling your car until after 6 pm. This reduces the emissions during the peak daylight hours when ozone formation is most likely. Don't "top off" the tank, that is stop adding gasoline, after the pump has automatically shut itself off. This will avoid spills of gasoline and unnecessary VOC emissions.
Stay tuned. Delay mowing your lawn or operating other hand powered equipment. If you must do it today, wait until after 6 pm. Keep your car, boat, and lawn equipment well-tuned. Well-maintained engines use less fuel and emit less air pollutants.
Conserve electricity. When at home, set your thermostat at the highest temperature at which you are comfortable. When everyone is away or asleep, set the thermostat at a warmer temperature. Use a ceiling fan to circulate the cool air. Turn off appliances when not in use.
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