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10 Simple Steps to Improving Air Quality

1. Join the Network. Sign up to receive Air Quality Alerts from OzoneNY and learn more about simple steps you can take to improve your quality of life and the air you breathe. Sign up today at OzoneNY.org.

2. Take mass transit, share a ride. Even if you do it just once or twice a week, you’ll reduce traffic congestion and pollution, and save money.  The average driver spends about 44 cents per mile including ownership and maintenance.  Visit metropool.com for commuting options assistances in the Lower Hudson Valley.

3. Telecommute.  Work at home sometimes.  You’ll save time and money, and reduce emissions and traffic congestion.

4. Know before you go. Visit nyctmc.org to get travel and transit updates before you leave home and you won’t get stuck in a jam.

5. Trip chain more often. It’s easy! Chances are, you’re already doing it-combining your errands into one trip. It helps you get things done and it helps reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.  When you first start a car after it has been sitting for more than an hour, it pollutes up to five times more than when the engine’s warm.

6. Get fuel when it’s cool.  Refueling during cooler periods of the day or in the evening can prevent gas fumes from heating up and creating ozone.  And that help reduce ozone alert days. 

7. Don’t top off the tank.  It releases gas fumes into the air and cancels the benefits of the pump’s anti-pollution devices.  So stopping short of a full tank is safer and reduces pollution. 

8. Care for your car.  Regular maintenance and tune ups, changing the oil and checking tire inflation can improve gas mileage, extend your car’s life and increase it’s resale value.  It can also reduce traffic congestion due to preventable breakdowns, and it could reduce your car’s emissions by more than half. 

9. Take things in stride.  Walk or in line skate instead of driving.  They’re easy ways to get exercise and they’re easy on the air.

10. Have fun! Ride your bike.  It’s a great way to travel and it can help you and the air get into condition.  Vehicles on the road create more than 25% of all air pollution nationwide.