"Choose Clean Air"...that's the plea of state officials...

More Info Clean Air Utah Air Quality Index Utah Division of Air Quality

The Department of Environmental Quality is launching a new program to let residents know what THEY can do to cut pollution in the summer months.

As temperatures hit the upper 90's and triple digits...ozone levels will increase...trapping pollutants. That can aggravate respiratory problems, especially in kids, the elderly and people with asthma.

Officials say it's important to develop a daily plan of action.

STEPS THAT WILL SPARE THE AIR
(from the Clean Air Utah Website)

Driving less doesn't mean you have to stay home. Try any of these ways to get to where you want to go:

1. Carpool
2. take a bus or ride TRAX
3. Walk
4. Ride a bike
5. Telecommute
6. Do your business by phone or over the Internet
7. Walk to lunch
8. Pack a lunch and eat in
9. Postpone errands that can wait, if it's a high ozone day.
10. Combine your errands into one trip.
11. Park in a centeral place and walk as much as you can.
    
    Drive Smarter - If you must drive, drive smarter and keep pollution at a minimum.
    
    
12. Drive your newest car.
13. Know before you go - choose your route to avoid traffic tie-ups and other delays
14. Work a flexible schedule - commute during non-peak driving times.
15. Keep you vehicle well tuned.
16. Replace your vehicle's air filter on a regular basis
17. Keep your tires properly inflated
18. Wait to gas up until evening hours when pollution levels are lower
19. Don't top off your tank at the gas pump.
20. Limit your car's idling time.
21. Avoid drive-through lanes.
22. Accelerate gradually
23. Obey the speed limit.
24. Use cruise control on the highway.
25. When you buy a new car. Look for one that is fuel-efficient and low polluting-or consider a zero polluting electric car.
    
    At Home
    
    
26. Buy less toxic or nontoxic materials.
27. Avoid consumer spray products.
28. Properly dispose of all hazardous household materials.
29. Make your own cleaning product.
30. Wait to paint on low pollution days.
31. Use water-based instead of oil-based paints.
32. Keep all solvents and paints in airtight containers.
33. Conserve energy.
34. Purchase Energy start products or other energy efficient appliances, home electronics, and lighting.
35. Maintain your central air conditioner.
36. Barbecue smarter. Consider replacing your charcoal BBQ.
37. Keep your small motors - lawn mowers, leaf blowers, snow blowers - well tuned.
38. Use a push mower. A rake. Sweep your leaves.
    
    At Work
    
    
39. Work a flex schedule
40. Telecommute one day a week
41. If you are an employer. implement a rideshare program for your employees.
42. Keep your fleet vehicles well maintained.
43. Take advantage of tax options - buy alternative fueled vehicles.
44. Purchase fuel - efficient vehicles.
45. Conserve energy.
46. Purchase Energy start products or other energy efficient appliances, home electronics, and lighting.
47. Buy less toxic or non-toxic materials
48. Wait to pain on low pollution days
49. Keep all solvents and paints in airtight containers
50. Adopt pollution prevention methods. They will not only Spare the Air but will also result in saving for your company.