The Quick Facts: Although the summer months may be the time of year we most want to be outside, they may be the worst time of year to do so since air pollution and “bad air” days can occur more frequently in many parts of the U.S. this time of year. EPA recently issued new regulations for air pollution to improving air quality as well as proposed rules that will require six states to participate in the program to reduce ozone-season nitrogen oxide emissions. To protect your children, and sensitive adult populations, from the effects of air pollution when playing outside, following the guidance outlined below.
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Archive for the ‘Air’ Category
Summer Air Pollution: Avoid It & Improve it
Monday, August 15th, 2011
Breathe It In: Fresh Air Does a Body (and Mind) Good
Wednesday, March 30th, 2011
The Quick Facts: Families and individuals do not get outside for fresh air often enough, all year long. We spend time inside working, eating, sleeping, and playing. Meanwhile, experts say that there are many human health benefits of spending time in the fresh air of outdoors.
Laundry: A Toxic Load on Your Family & the Environment
Wednesday, May 12th, 2010
The Quick Facts: The clothes dryer is the second biggest household user of electricity, after the refrigerator. Besides the impact on your utility bill, people spend money on fabric softeners and dryer sheets to “fluff,” reduce static, and make their clothes smell better after drying. Studies have found that these products can make us sick and harm the environment. To save energy, lower utility bills, and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from energy and fuel use, opt for air drying — outside or inside — and skip the fabric softener and dryer sheets for a more healthy living.
You can smell it when you walk out the door of your home. You can smell it when you take your child for a walk in the neighborhood, house after house. What you smell is not the scent of fresh air, but “clean scent” or “fresh scent” dryer sheets. We all appreciate clean clothes, but studies have found that fabric softeners and dryer sheets can make us sick and harm the environment.
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Plant a Tree: Clean the Air
Wednesday, May 12th, 2010
The Quick Facts: Photosynthesis is a mechanism that we all learn about in elementary school but many people don’t realize the benefits of planting trees and other vegetation on the environment. Plants can be used in urban spaces to improve local air quality and, on a global scale, to reduce the impacts of climate change through carbon sequestration. Plant a tree, flowers, or garden today to reduce your impact and help clean the air.
How Plants Clean the Air
The cycle of how plants make energy is called photosynthesis. Greatly simplified, it is when the sun, water, minerals, and carbon dioxide are all absorbed by a plant and then used to make food, glucose/sugar, for the plant. Oxygen is produced as a by-product of this process and released into the air by leaves.
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Global Warming Updates: How Warm Are We? Legislation, International Actions, and What Kids Can Do
Thursday, November 5th, 2009
The Quick Facts: Measures must be taken both nationally and internationally to slow the pace of global warming. Domestically bills are pending in Congress to reducing global warming while the international community will meet in December to further international efforts. These actions will hopefully help curb greenhouse gas emissions but we should all do our part at home to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and teach our kids to do so as well by encouraging kids to turn off lights in the house; explaining the need to carpool; and planting trees.
