Give New York a Breath of Fresh Air!

Unhealthy air remains a threat to the lives and health of millions of people in the United States, despite great progress.
Air pollution lingers as a widespread and dangerous reality. Have you ever walked outside on a hot summer day and felt like the air was smothering you? Has it made your eyes water or perhaps prompted an irritating cough? One cause of these types of symptoms could be poor air quality. Unfortunately, these are just some of the mild effects of air pollution, which can cover the spectrum from eye irritation to more serious health problems, such as asthma.

Air Pollution in the Big Apple
New York pizza, high fashion, Broadway shows—these are all things that New York does well. Unfortunately, however, another thing we're doing well is polluting the air. Metro New York has some of the most polluted air in the United States and much of it comes from our cars. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has rated the New York metro area as not meeting federal guidelines for ground-level ozone and particulate matter pollution.
The Environment Action Association partners with Clean Air NY and 511NYrideshare, sponsored by the New York State Department of Transportation, are organizations that seek to improve air quality in the New York metro area. We encourage all New Yorkers make smart travel choices part of their daily routine-choices that will lead to less driving and air pollution.
Small Changes Make a Big Difference
Begin the day right. Sign up for Clean Air NY’s Air Quality Action Day, a free service that delivers air quality information straight to your email or phone. And modify your plans if unhealthy air quality is predicted. Protect yourself and others in your care, by taking the appropriate actions. Making small changes in your lifestyle at home, at work, and on the road can make a big difference.

At Home

• Postpone mowing and trimming or use electric garden equipment.
• Postpone painting or use water-based paint instead of oil-based
paint.
• Replace your charcoal grill with a propane gas grill.
• Choose ENERGY STAR™ appliances and lighting.
• Cut back on heating and air conditioning when you can and turn
off lights and appliances when not in use.
• Clean heating filters each month.

At Work
Employers have a unique opportunity to make a difference. They can promote programs that help employees make positive lifestyle changes. For example, employers can encourage staff to use public transportation or carpool by using 511NYrideshare. Employers also can give employees the option of working from home. Encourage employees to sign up for Air Quality Action Day, a free service that delivers air quality information.
On the Road
• Keep driving to a minimum.
• Fill up your gas tank during evening hours. Avoid spilling gas and “topping off” the tank. Replace gas tank cap tightly.
• Have your car tuned regularly by replacing the oil and air filter, and keep tires properly inflated and aligned.
• Carpool or use public transportation when possible.
• Combine your errands into one trip.
• Avoid revving or idling your engine.
• Avoid long drive-through lines; instead, park your car and go in.
• Looking for a new vehicle? Consider purchasing a fuel-efficient model or a hybrid that runs on an electric motor
and gasoline engine