Over the next few weeks, schools in the greater Tucson area will re-open for the fall and, along with that annual ritual, more vehicles will be idling again as parents wait in student drop off/pick up lines, wait for the school bus, or must stop and slow down in school zones.
The start of the school year happens to fall during the last few months of ozone season, when ground-level ozone, a common air pollutant, reaches its highest concentration.
As parents drive and drop off their kids at school, engine idling creates more air polluting emissions, which leads to higher levels of ground-based ozone. According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities program, an idling car wastes up to half a gallon of fuel per hour and releases 20 pounds of carbon dioxide for each gallon of fuel burned.
Why should we reduce vehicle idling?
- To reduce exposure to harmful emissions from vehicle exhaust
- To improve air quality and health
- To increase fuel economy
A number of health issues have been attributed to vehicle emissions.
“Exposure to air pollutants from vehicle emissions can cause respiratory issues such as bronchitis, asthma, and lung cancer,” wrote plymovement.com, a company that provides clean air solutions for businesses. “Fine particulate matter from vehicle emissions has been linked to heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular problems.”
Other negative health conditions linked to vehicle emissions include cancer, neurological issues and more minor issues such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and eye, nose, and throat irritation.
How to reduce idling:
Turn engine off upon arrival at your destination or when waiting for passengers – “Idling for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel and produces more emissions that contribute to smog and climate change than stopping and restarting your engine does,” explained the U.S. Department of Energy in its Consumer Guide to Reducing Vehicle Idling.
Avoid idling near building entrances, doors, air intakes and wherever people are gathered – Be courteous and turn off your engine when you see people nearby. You would not want to breathe in exhaust, and neither does anyone else.
If you do not know how long you might be waiting, turn off your vehicle – Err on the side of caution and cut the engine. You will not only reduce emissions but save on gas as well.
Choose alternatives to drive-thru lanes – While they can be convenient, try avoiding drive-thru lanes. Park your car and go inside instead.
“If a line at a drive-through restaurant, pharmacy, or bank is long, consider turning off your car while you wait, or parking and going inside,” stated the energy.gov guide.