NCDENR - Division of Air Quality - North Carolina Air Awareness Program



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N.C. Air Awareness Program >> Think. Act. Breathe.

It's the air you're breathing...
Think. Act. Breathe.
THINK The average adult breathes over 3,000 gallons of air a day. Almost 4 million North Carolinians live in counties with air quality not meeting Federal clean air standards. Up to 70% of air pollution in North Carolina's cities is caused by cars and trucks. The traffic really is getting worse every day. The number of miles we drive in our state is increasing three times as fast as the population. According to health experts: - Air Pollution causes shortness of breath and reduces lung function, even in healthy adults. - Roughly one out of every three people in the United States is at a higher risk of experiencing air pollution-related health effects.(1) - Air Pollution aggravates asthma and may cause asthma in children.(2) - One in ten North Carolina 7th and 8th graders has diagnosed asthma. One in four 7th and 8th graders has either diagnosed asthma or asthma symptoms.(3) ACT Be part of the solution. Small actions add up. Drive less. Carpool, vanpool, combine errands into one trip. Keep your car tuned and tires properly inflated. Avoid idling; park and walk into restaurants and banks instead of using drive-through lanes. Electricity production contributes to air pollution. Turn off lights and electronic equipment when not in use. Increase your summertime thermostat setting and use ceiling fans to circulate the air (you'll save money too). Off-road engines like lawnmowers are major sources of air pollution. Use electric or hand-powered lawn equipment whenever possible. Buying a new or used vehicle? Include air quality in your priorities. Log on to http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/ and make a cleaner choice. BREATHE Help everyone breathe easier. If each of us does a little, we can accomplish a lot. Forming one car pool could save 40 pounds of air pollution a year.(4) Carpooling or taking transit will save you money and reduce commuting stress. Know the air quality color codes and take steps to protect your health and the environment. Help educate others about the importance of good air quality, and take pride in protecting the environment and the health of all North Carolinians. Click here for more information on air pollution in North Carolina. 1. U.S. EPA. 2000. Air Quality Index: A Guide to Air Quality and Your Health. www.epa.gov/airnow/aqibroch/ . 2. McConnell et al. 2002. Asthma in exercising children exposed to ozone: a cohort study. Lancet 359: 386-391. 3. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, 2001. North Carolina School Asthma Survey. Conducted during 1999-2000 school year. 4. www.smartcommute.org/FactsFigures.htm . Derived from 1,000 new carpools eliminating 20 tons of smog-forming emissions. .

It's the air you're breathing...

Think. Act. Breathe.

THINK

The average adult breathes over 3,000 gallons of air a day.
Almost 4 million North Carolinians live in counties with air quality not meeting Federal clean air standards.
Up to 70% of air pollution in North Carolina's cities is caused by cars and trucks.
The traffic really is getting worse every day. The number of miles we drive in our state is increasing three times as fast as the population.
According to health experts:
- Air Pollution causes shortness of breath and reduces lung function, even in healthy adults.
- Roughly one out of every three people in the United States is at a higher risk of experiencing air pollution-related health effects.(1)
- Air Pollution aggravates asthma and may cause asthma in children.(2)
- One in ten North Carolina 7th and 8th graders has diagnosed asthma. One in four 7th and 8th graders has either diagnosed asthma or asthma symptoms.(3)

ACT

Be part of the solution. Small actions add up.
Drive less. Carpool, vanpool, combine errands into one trip.
Keep your car tuned and tires properly inflated. Avoid idling; park and walk into restaurants and banks instead of using drive-through lanes.
Electricity production contributes to air pollution. Turn off lights and electronic equipment when not in use. Increase your summertime thermostat setting and use ceiling fans to circulate the air (you'll save money too).
Off-road engines like lawnmowers are major sources of air pollution. Use electric or hand-powered lawn equipment whenever possible.
Buying a new or used vehicle? Include air quality in your priorities. Log on to http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/ and make a cleaner choice.

BREATHE

Help everyone breathe easier. If each of us does a little, we can accomplish a lot.
Forming one car pool could save 40 pounds of air pollution a year.(4)
Carpooling or taking transit will save you money and reduce commuting stress.
Know the air quality color codes and take steps to protect your health and the environment.
Help educate others about the importance of good air quality, and take pride in protecting the environment and the health of all North Carolinians.

Click here for more information on air pollution in North Carolina.

1. U.S. EPA. 2000. Air Quality Index: A Guide to Air Quality and Your Health. www.epa.gov/airnow/aqibroch/ .
2. McConnell et al. 2002. Asthma in exercising children exposed to ozone: a cohort study. Lancet 359: 386-391.
3. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, 2001. North Carolina School Asthma Survey. Conducted during 1999-2000 school year.
4. www.smartcommute.org/FactsFigures.htm . Derived from 1,000 new carpools eliminating 20 tons of smog-forming emissions. .