Join Collin County and the American Lung Association in celebrating Clean Air Month this May. We make decisions everyday that affect the quality of our air - indoors and out. You have the power to change your home, transportation, and consumer habits to help reduce air pollution.

Collin County Air Pollution Facts & Figures

Collin County ranks among the dirties/worst counties in the United States for carbon monoxide emissions, nitrogen oxide emissions, particulate matter (2.5 & 10 microns), and volatile organic compounds:

• Air Emissions of Criteria Pollutants¹ (1999) - 171,829 tons
• Criteria Emissions from Mobile Sources² (1999) - 142,263 tons
• Criteria Emissions from Industrial Sources (2000) - 3578 tons

¹Criteria Pollutants include carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and sulfur dioxide.
²Mobile sources include on-road vehicles such as cars trains and buses; as well as off-road equipment such as ships, airplanes, construction and farm equipment

--www.texasep.org

Comparisons of Texas Counties for Air Quality (1 is most polluted):

• Health Risk from Criteria Air Pollutants (2002):
  
  1. Harris
  2. Tarrant
  3. Dallas
  4. Bexar
  5. El Paso
  6. Denton
  7. Collin
• Emissions of Criteria Air Pollutants (1999): Ranked 18th with 13,372 tons of emissions each year
• Exposures to Air Pollutants (1999): Ranked 10th
• Average Air Quality Index = 140 (Unhealthful)

--www.scorecard.org

Outdoor Air Quality

Automobiles

Every year, more drivers are on the road and commutes get longer. Driving is one of the leading causes of air pollution that you can control on a personal level. Follow the tips below to learn how you can reduce the amount pollution your driving habits create.

• Carpool - Make new friends and build camaraderie with your coworkers by starting a carpool. Not only will this give you time to socialize with other people, but will reduce the amount of mileage and gas you put into your car.
• Walk/ride - Not only will you be protecting the environment, but you will be adding activity to your day.
• Public transport - Make the ride to work an enjoyable one, and leave the road rage at home. When you use public transportation to get to work, you can use the commute time to read the newspaper or a book, talk on the phone safely, or get a head start on your workday, instead of staring at the car in front of you.
• Drive-thrus - Instead of waiting in that long drive through line on your lunch break and emitting harmful gases into the atmosphere, park your car and go in to order. You may find that this is faster, too!

For a addition tips, check out the Top Ten Tips for Green Driving provided by the American Lung Association.

Small Engines

Most people do not think of air pollution when they are using their yard equipment, but emissions from lawn mowers, leaf blowers, snow blowers, chain saws and similar outdoor equipment are a significant source of pollutants including carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, which contribute to the formation of ozone. Follow these tips to help limit the pollution created while preparing your yard for the summer:

• Use an electric lawnmower or push mower (generating the power to run electric equipment does produce pollution, so push mowers are your best choice.)
• Reduce mowing time by seeding your lawn with slow growing grass. Consult your local lawn and garden center for appropriate recommendations.
• Choose propane, solar, or electric powered tools.
• Avoid spilling or overfilling gas fueled equipment.
  

Indoor Air Quality

Did you know that the air inside your home may be two to five times more polluted than the air outside your home? Sources of indoor air pollution include oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood, and tobacco products; building materials and furnishings such as deteriorated, asbestos-containing insulation, wet or damp carpet, and cabinetry or furniture made of certain pressed wood products; products for household cleaning and maintenance, personal care, or hobbies; central heating and cooling systems and humidification devices; and outdoor sources such as radon, pesticides, and outdoor air pollution.

If too little outdoor air enters a home, pollutants can accumulate to levels that can pose health and comfort problems. Unless they are built with special mechanical means of ventilation, homes that are designed and constructed to minimize the amount of outdoor air that can "leak" into and out of the home may have higher pollutant levels than other homes.

So what can you do to improve the air quality in your home?

Source Control

• Seal or enclose the source
• Some sources can be adjusted to reduce emissions (ex. Gas stoves)
• Do not smoke indoors. If you must, open a window to help ventilate the house.
  

Ventilation Improvements

• Bring outside air in by opening windows and doors, operating window and attic fans, run the exhaust fans located in your bathroom and kitchen
• Make sure to follow these tips if you are doing any activities that will emit high levels of pollution such as painting, cooking, or doing home maintenance such as welding or sanding.
  

More Clean Air Tips

1. Telecommute.
2. Shop by phone, or online.
3. Hand-wash instead of dry clean.
4. Keep your car tuned up.
5. Buy a low-emission, fuel-efficient car.
6. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs.
   
7. Educate yourself: on this website or by visiting the ALA website at www.lungusa.org.
8. Combine car trips
9. Buy products made with recycled materials.
10. Buy products with less packaging.
11. Speak out for clean air.
12. Don't top-off your tank.
13. Use a broom instead of a leaf blower.
14. Don't burn trash in your fireplace.
15. Buy foods grown without pesticides.
16. Use a gas grill.
17. Paint with water-based paints.
18. Use a gas log in your fireplace.
19. Buy in bulk.
20. Clean your heating and a/c ducts.
21. Use less energy.
22. Clean air conditioners and humidifiers.
23. Reduce, re-use, recycle and re-think.
24. Don't use pesticides or insecticides (outdoors or indoors).
25. Don't use lighter fluid: start your BBQ with an electric or charcoal chimney starter.
26. Take used motor oil to an approved drop-off.
27. Use less toxic cleaning products.

-- Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District: www.sbcapcd.org