Sitka Alaska

What is Idling?

Idling [i’-dling], running the engine of a vehicle while it is not going anywhere.

Presentation Overview

Why Idling is a Problem

Myths versus Reality

The Benefits of Taking Action

How We Can Take Action

Resources

Why is idling a problem?

Idling…

• Hurts air quality

• Wastes fuel

• Happen daily in Sitka

• Harms health

Idling & Air Quality

Idling releases many hazardous chemicals into the air including:1

• Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

• Carbon Monoxide (CO)

• Hydrocarbons

• Nitrogen Oxide

• Particulate Matter

Idling & Air Quality

These chemicals cause environmental problems including:2

Trucks alone emit 11 million tons of carbon dioxide, 180,000,000 tons of ozone forming gas, and 5, 000 tons of particulate matter every year!2

• Smog/ Haze

• Global warming/ greenhouse gases

• Fewer fish and algae blooms

• Ozone

• Reduced crop yields

• Damage to structures/ monuments

Idling & Health

These chemicals cause various heath conditions including:

• Asthma

• Cancer

• Cardiovascular disease

• Respiratory disease

• Allergies

• Prenatal & infant mortality

• Senior mortality

• Visual Impairment

• Headache

WASTES $ + Finite Resource

Everyday in Sitka

Idling Myth #1

Reality Idling is not an effective way to

warm up your vehicle. Driving your vehicle is the best way

to warm it up. 30 seconds of warming up your

vehicle on winter days is enough.

The engine should be warmed up before driving.

Idling Myth #2

Reality

An idling engine is not operating at its peak temperature, which

means fuel combustion is incomplete.

Excessive idling can damage your engine components,

including cylinders, spark plugs and the exhaust system.

Idling is good for your engine.

Idling Myth #3

Reality Frequent restarting has little

impact on engine components. More than 10 seconds of idling

uses more fuel than restarting the engine.

Shutting off and restarting yourvehicle is hard on the engine

and uses more gas.

Idling Myth #4

Reality So are non polluting options

like a hat, gloves and an extra layer

Pollutants affect the people inside the vehicle as well as

outside of it.

Idling is a good way to stay warm while waiting inside the car

The Benefits of Taking ActionNot idling will:

Save you money fuel and engine wear and tear

Improve the quality of air in Sitka

Reduce harmful emissions that contribute to climate change

Protect the health of kids and citizens

Educate the whole community

What can be done?

•Examine the Facts•Talk with others•Adopt a policy *•Educate the whole community

Resources

• www.idlefreevt.org Idle Free Vermont

• www.lung.org American Lung• http://www.helptheair.org/content/vie

w/134/21/ - Kentucky Air Education.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itMhRRnBVOc&feature=related• Doug Osborne – parent/Health

Educator

•Gunalchéesh