Air Fact
Clean Runnings
Sulfur content in gasoline is being reduced in phases over the next four years in accordance with an EPA rule. Reducing the sulfur content will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of catalytic converters found on vehicles. The increased performance of the converters will result in lower tailpipe emissions of many critical pollutants, particularly nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and fine particulates (WDNR).
Land Use Matters…
People in mixed-use compact communities drive 30-50% less than in sprawling communities. Compact communities are easier to serve by public transportation and it is easier to walk or bike to run errands, and to get to school or work (Natural Resources Defense Council).
Who Do You Know Who Wants to Buy a Car?
If you are in the market for a new vehicle, consider buying a hybrid or fuel efficient vehicle. For information of vehicle fuel economy including a listing of the Top and the Worst vehicle performers, visit FuelEconomy.
Work Virtually
If 10% of the nation's workforce telecommuted one day a week, they would avoid the frustration of driving 24.4 million miles, breathe 12,963 tons less air pollution, and conserve more than 1.2 million gallons of fuel each week (National Environmental Policy Institute).
The Air and your Health
A build-up of carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere (from burning fossil fuels such as gas and coal) trap the sun’s radiation and cause the earth’s average temperature to increase. According to a report by environmental health experts, this increased heat, paired with increased levels of carbon dioxide, promote pollen production in plants, increase fungal growth and alter species composition in plant communities by favoring opportunistic weeds like ragweed and poison ivy. Pollen and mold allergens then flood the air and interact with urban pollutants such as 
ground level ozone and diesel particulates to cause increased incidence of asthma (Planet Ark 4/30/04).
According to a recent study conducted by the University of California at Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, air-borne particles, one-tenth of a micron across in size (common in urban haze) travel beyond the lungs and penetrate deep into cells. There, the particles cause the production of chemicals that inflame and damage cells resulting in diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and other neurological impairments.
Did you know?
Motorcycles produce more emissions per mile than a car or even a large SUV (EPA).
Morning commuters
follow measured lines, honking-
how like geese we are
-Aaron Naparstek (Honku 2003)