Spare the Air program is a voluntary public outreach
effort aimed at raising awareness of summer air pollution issues
in the Bay Area and promoting individual behavior changes that improve
air quality. The Bay Area Air Quality
Management District, whose jurisdiction over the control of
stationary sources of air pollution extends across the nine counties
that touch on San Francisco Bay, administers the program.
Stanford University is an active participant in the program, along
with over 1700 other local businesses. EH&S advises the Stanford
community via the Stanford University
web and EH&S'
own web site whenever a Spare the Air day is called.
What are some things you can do to help spare the air?
LEAVE YOUR CAR AT HOME!
Automobile exhaust accounts for the bulk of smog
promoting pollutants emitted in the Bay Area. Walk, ride transit,
join a carpool or try cycling. Do anything other than driving
your car alone. When running errands always "trip-link"
(because our cars pollute heaviest when the engine is cold (after
standing 50 minutes) you can avoid some pollution by planning
your trips in advance and linking them together).
Be aware of the energy you use at home and at work.
There is a direct link between energy use and air pollution. When
the electric supply dips and rolling blackouts are called, many
businesses turn on standby power generators and home owners power
up small gasoline-powered utility generators. These units emit
magnitudes more ozone forming pollutants than standard power plants.
We can prevent these occurrences by minimizing the power we use
on hot days. Set thermostats to turn on air conditioning at 78
degrees or above --OR better yet, use fans instead of air conditioners
to cool a room.
ADDITIONAL WAYS TO SPARE THE AIR:
Postpone painting jobs for a non-Spare the Air day.
Don't use gasoline-powered garden and utility equipment. Barbecuing
is a good idea on a hot summer day, as long as you don't start
the coals with lighter fluid, use a chimney starter instead. Refuel
vehicles after sundown. Despite filling station vapor recovery
there is always some evaporation of volatile organics. Avoid using
consumer products that come in aerosol spray cans.
To track ozone in
your neighborhood click
For information on Stanford University's
Parking and Transportation Program, click
For information on regional ridesharing
programs, click here.
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