It doesn’t take much to spew pounds of pollution into our air. Just sit behind your steering wheel and turn the key. All kinds of poisonous fumes will come pouring out of your exhaust. Nitrogen oxides which damage lung tissue; carbon monoxide which limits the blood’s ability to transport oxygen causing dizziness, impaired coordination and death; and hydrocarbons the major component of smog, which irritates the respiratory tract and eyes, and decreases lung function causing coughing and pain.
We haven’t even mentioned what it does to our children, our water and our land. All of our natural resources are subject to contamination by automobile pollution.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) is responsible for monitoring and improving the air we breathe. SCAQMD provides a Daily Air Quality Forecast, which will give you the prediction regarding tomorrow’s air quality.
SCAQMD Home Page
SCAQMD Daily Air Quality Forecast
The State of California promotes the use of clean air vehicles and has several programs designed to assist commuters. They even want you to ride in the carpool lane with your new purchase!
California Air Resources Board Home Page
Calstart Advanced Transportation News and Information Home Page
Clean Air Vehicle Decals
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
California Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Health Center
Natural Resources Defense Council
Plug it in and drive! Electric Vehicles
Let the light of ridesharing shine forth with your new Electric Vehicle (EV). Check out the web sites below for enough information to overload your sockets.
Electric Vehicle Association of the Americas Home Page
It’s not just for cooking - Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Vehicles
When you’re ready to get that new vehicle, consider what a gas it would be to purchase a natural gas vehicle (NGV). Click below for more information to get you started on a good air day.
California Energy Commission Home Page
Office of Transportation Technologies Home Page
CNG refueling locations