Just before the school opening, me and another member of the Think Green - Act Clean, Marina Romero-Hernandez, decided to propose the schools attended by our young kids to adopt an Idling Reduction Program.
We were both successful. My daughters' school is in the process of implementing the program and here is what Marina has to say about her experience.
"Hi Vanessa, Our experience has turned out to be a very positive one. Once parents were explained the hazards of leaving their engines idling (i.e. exacerbation of asthma symptoms and other breathing diseases as well as the possibility of breathing known carcinogens) there has been a reduction in the idling vehicles in our school. I do not have an exact number but I would say that at least one third of the idlers have stopped idling (and that is a LOT!). We will continue with this effort in order to have cleaner air for all of our children to breathe. "
And all of this was made possible thanks to the help of Kristy Kim, Public Relations Specialist at the Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services (HCDOES). And here is Kristy's description of the Anti-Idling Campaign, Marina and me are proud to be part of it, as two moms concerned for the health of our children and of our community. Hope you, as a parent will follow our exciting experience!
The Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services (HCDOES) has launched an Anti‐Idling Campaign and it’s catching on! While Hamilton County residents’ recycling and yardwaste needs are met through HCDOES, air quality resources and services are also provided to Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren counties.
The Anti‐Idling Campaign is designed to educate the public on the environmental, health, and financial drawbacks of leaving a vehicle running unnecessarily. Cars are the number one source of air pollution in the Greater Cincinnati area, and we can all take small steps to reduce vehicle emissions. Schools, teachers, parents, businesses and community leaders have all acknowledged the importance of not idling our vehicles and throughout the Greater Cincinnati Area people are deciding to “Turn the Key, Be Idle Free”.
Did you know:
• After 30 seconds, it is more fuel efficient to turn off and restart your vehicle than to leave it running?
• A single vehicle dropping off and picking up students at one school puts three pounds of pollution into the air per month?
• Children are especially sensitive to the effects of air pollution because they breathe more quickly and take in more air than adults?
• Pollutants found in exhaust can aggravate asthma, cause coughing or difficulty breathing, decrease lung function, exacerbate cardiovascular problems and lead to chronic bronchitis?
What you can do:
• Turn off your car while running errands, picking someone up, sitting at the drive through, etc.
• Plan accordingly and combine and eliminate unnecessary trips
• Drive to warm the car up in cold weather – this is the fastest way to generate heat!
• Don’t use a remote starter
• Take the bus, carpool and ride share
You can also request an Anti‐Idling Kit from HCDOES. These kits provide literature and incentives such as magnets, pencils, mugs, notepads and ice scrapers, etc. to help motivate participants to “Turn the Key, Be Idle Free”. Anti‐Idling pledge cards are also included and upon return to HCDOES are entered in to a raffle. To order an Anti‐Idling Kit or for more information on Air Quality, contact Kristy Kim, Public Relations Specialist at kristy.kim@hamilton‐co.org or (513)946‐7754.
