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Ways Residents Can Reduce Ozone Pollution
While pollution control actions can be taken all summer long, businesses, local governments, and citizens are encouraged to take make a special effort to implement ozone reduction strategies when the RAQC issues an Ozone Action Alert.  

Sunny sky

Be Ozone Sensible
All Summer Long
Make a Special Effort on Ozone Action Days
In your yard
  1. Use a clean lawn mower--electric, reel/push and newer 1997 gas models are cleaner running.
  2. Maintain your mower to help it run cleaner--change the air filter, oil and corroded spark plugs at least once each season. Keep the underside of the mower free of grass build-up.
  3. Use a funnel to refuel equipment--avoid even small spills and drips.
  4. Reduce lawn watering and fertilizing to discourage fast/excessive lawn growth.
  5. Xeriscape to reduce lawn area, or change to native western grasses to reduce the need for irrigation and mowing.
  6. Avoid using gasoline-powered yard equipment, such as weed trimmers, since they emit a disproportionate share of air pollution.
  7. Don't use petroleum distillate charcoal lighter fluids, which emit a lot of harmful vapors. Use an electric starter or charcoal chimney instead.
  1. Delay lawn mowing -- Don't mow, let it grow.
  2. Choose an alternative to charcoal grilling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Around the house
  1. Avoid solvent-based products, which have pollution causing vapors (VOCs). Use water-based paint, stain and sealants.
  2. Avoid spray paints, most of which are solvent based. Very fine spray also can become airborne. Use paint brushes and rollers instead.
  3. Tightly cap all solvents (gasoline, paint thinners, strippers, degreasers) and store in a cool place to avoid evaporation.
  4. Plan major painting, stripping and refinishing projects for spring and fall when summer heat and sun do not react with vapors to create ozone pollution.
  5. Avoid use of flammable household products, such as some floor wax, furniture polish, fabric cleaners/protectants and insect foggers, all of which tend to have solvents.
  1. If you must use a solvent-based product, choose a different day for your project, or use the product late in the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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On the road
  1. When refueling your car, stop when the nozzle clicks off. Don't overfill or drip fuel. Fuel creates pollution-causing vapors as it evaporates.
  2. Refuel after dusk or in the evening, so fuel vapors will not have a chance to "cook" into ozone as they do during the day.
  3. Keep your car tuned and tires well inflated to increase mileage and reduce the need for refueling.
  4. Don't idle your car. To cut tail pipe emissions, turn it off if you wait in line more than 30 seconds.
  5. Reduce your driving. Combine errands into one trip, walk, bike, carpool, use public transit or telecommute.
  1. Turn off your car while waiting in service lines.
  2. Reduce your vehicle travel by delaying trips, carpooling/vanpooling, walking or biking, or using public transportation.
 

 

 

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