Background | Why Be Concerned? | Healthy Air Zone signage | Request a sign | Partners | What You Can Do

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Background

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in many cities the personal automobile is the single greatest polluter, as emissions from millions of vehicles on the road add up.  And believe it or not, idling for just 20 minutes generates the same amount of hazardous emissions as driving nearly 320 miles!  The good news is that you can help.  One way to reduce the amount of pollution that your car or truck produces is to reduce unnecessary engine idling, or running your vehicle at low speed. 

The exhaust produced by engine idling contains a mix of small particles and chemicals classified as "hazardous air pollutants." Some of these pollutants include particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide.  Motor vehicle exhaust is also a key component of ground-level ozone—the air pollutant pollutant Winchester-Frederick County is working to prevent.

Why Be Concerned?

Public Health.  Whether you are a licensed driver or just learning how to drive, you should be aware of the following significant problems associated with engine idling:

• Health impacts.  Exposure to vehicle exhaust increases the risk of cancer, heart and lung disease, asthma, and allergies. [American Cancer Society]
• Effects on children.  Breathing pollution produced by idling has a greater effect on children than on adults.  Children breathe 50% more air, have lungs that are still developing, and have narrower airways.  Additionally, vehicle exhaust increases many children's asthma symptoms.
• Other sensitive groups.  Besides children, several other groups are vulnerable as well to the air pollution produced by motor vehicle exhaust.  People with respiratory diseases (such as asthma), the elderly, and adults who are active outdoors may experience adverse health symptoms as a result of poor air quality.
• At school.  A single vehicle dropping off and picking up kids at one school puts three pounds of pollution into the air per month.

$$ Money $$ 

• Wasted fuel...  Keep in mind that an idling engine gets 0 miles to the gallon.  Every minute spent idling costs a fraction of a gallon of wasted fuel.
• ...and wasted money.  The more fuel that you burn as a result of idling, the more trips to the gas pump you are forced to make.   Although a common misconception is that you waste more gas by restarting your vehicle, it is more cost effective to turn off your engine after 30 seconds of idling.

Our Environment.

• Visibility.  The emissions produced by cars and trucks help contribute to the air pollution that causes haze, or smog.  Haze is caused when sunlight encounters tiny pollution particles in the air and forms a veil of white or brown.
• Acid rain.  The pollutants found in motor vehicle exhaust react with other substances in the air to form acids which fall to the earth as rain, fog, snow, or dry particles.  In turn, acid rain can damage forests, harm lakes and streams, and even damage historical buildings and monuments.
• The Chesapeake Bay.   The burning of fossil fuels (such as the fuel in our cars during engine idling) releases nitrogen oxides into our air which then eventually settles back to the Earth's surface and enters our waterways.  This excess nitrogen can contribute to algae blooms and a decline in marine life in the Chesapeake Bay.
• Production of CO₂.  One hour of idling burns up to a gallon of fuel and produces approximately 20 pounds of carbon dioxide.

Healthy Air Zone Signage

Partners

The following schools and businesses have agreed to participate in the Winchester-Frederick County idle reduction initiative by displaying Healthy Air Zone signs around their facilities, encouraging parents and patrons to turn off their engines while parked. 

• Flying J Travel Plaza - Winchester
• Virginia Inland Port
• Winchester Safety Rest Area & Welcome Center

Materials

The following informational and promotional materials are available for review online and may be provided for free to any applicable business, school, or individual depending upon availability.

• Idle reduction bumper sticker: Encourage others to reduce vehicle idling by displaying this bumper sticker on your car, SUV, or even your rig!  To request a free sticker, just send your name and address to info@valleyairnow.com. 
• Healthy Air Zone street sign: Any schools or businesses—particularly daycare centers, convenience stores or business members of the mobile freight industry—interested in displaying this signage should email info@valleyairnow.com or contact Tiffany Tumer at (540) 560-3466.  Supplies are limited, so don't wait!

What You Can Do

Whether you are a parent, student, or other driver, there are several simple yet effective steps you can take to protect human health, improve air quality, reduce engine wear, and save money!

1. Turn off your engine while in school zones.  A single vehicle dropping off and picking up kids at one school puts three pounds of pollution into the air per month.  Children, whose lungs are still developing and breathe at a faster rate than adults, are most sensitive to this pollution.
2. Turn your engine off if parked for more than 30 seconds.  Generally, more than 30 seconds of idling uses more fuel than restarting the engine.  So turn the key while waiting in school zones or at drive-thrus, convenience stores, or other similar areas.
3. Reduce your warm-up idling time.  The best way to warm up your vehicle is to drive it.  With today's modern engines, you need no more than 30 seconds of idling on cold days. 
4. Request a free Valley AIRNow Healthy Air Zone sign for your business.  Any schools or businesses—particularly daycare centers, convenience stores or business members of the mobile freight industry—interested in displaying this signage should email info@valleyairnow.com or contact Tiffany Tumer at (540) 560-3466.  Supplies are limited, so don't wait!
5. Request a free Valley AIRNow idle reduction bumper sticker.  Encourage others to reduce vehicle idling by displaying this bumper sticker on your car, SUV, or even your rig!  To request a free sticker, just send your name and address to info@valleyairnow.com. 
6. Request a free presentation on idling for your group or organization.  Ask Valley AIRNow to present to your group on vehicle idling and its effects.  Contact Tiffany Tumer, Air Quality Outreach Coordinator, at (540) 560-3466 or send an email to info@valleyairnow.com. 
7. Spread the word.  Encourage family, parents, and patrons to turn the key!  By turning off the engine while waiting for kids at school, or avoiding drive-thru windows at fast food restaurants and banks, each person can make a difference in the air we all breathe.

Northern Shenandoah Valley Air Quality Improvement Task Force
Phone: 540-450-2207 | | info@valleyairnow.com