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Be Ozone Sensible
All Summer Long |
Make
a Special Effort on Ozone Action Days |
| In your yard |
- Use a clean lawn mower--electric,
reel/push and newer 1997 gas models are cleaner running.
- 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.
- Use a funnel to refuel equipment--avoid even
small spills and drips.
- Reduce lawn watering and fertilizing to
discourage fast/excessive lawn growth.
- Xeriscape to reduce lawn area, or change to
native western grasses to reduce the need for irrigation and mowing.
- Avoid using gasoline-powered yard equipment,
such as weed trimmers, since they emit a disproportionate share of air
pollution.
- Don't use petroleum distillate charcoal lighter
fluids, which emit a lot of harmful vapors. Use an electric starter or
charcoal chimney instead.
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- Delay lawn mowing -- Don't mow, let it grow.
- Choose an alternative to charcoal grilling.
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| Around the house |
- Avoid solvent-based products, which have
pollution causing vapors (VOCs). Use water-based paint, stain and
sealants.
- Avoid spray paints, most of which are solvent
based. Very fine spray also can become airborne. Use paint brushes and rollers
instead.
- Tightly cap all solvents (gasoline, paint
thinners, strippers, degreasers) and store in a cool place to avoid
evaporation.
- 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.
- 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.
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- 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 |
- When refueling your car, stop when the
nozzle clicks off. Don't overfill or drip fuel. Fuel creates
pollution-causing vapors as it evaporates.
- 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.
- Keep your car tuned and tires well inflated to
increase mileage and reduce the need for refueling.
- Don't idle your car. To cut tail pipe emissions,
turn it off if you wait in line more than 30 seconds.
- Reduce your driving. Combine errands into one
trip, walk, bike, carpool, use public transit or telecommute.
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- Turn off your car while waiting in
service lines.
- Reduce your vehicle travel by delaying
trips, carpooling/vanpooling, walking or biking, or using public
transportation.
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