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April, 2003
Contacts:
Andrew Weisser, (818) 703-6444
aweisser@earthlink.net
or your local American Lung Association
at (800) LUNG-USA. www.californialung.org
American Lung Association Raises Awareness About Cleaner Transportation Options During Clean Air Month in May
Related Links: Tips for Fighting Air Pollution in Your Community | Campaign Print Ads for Newspapers, Newsletters & Magazines | Cleaner Vehicles | More Clean Air Month Links: Clean Air is Everyone’s Business: Cleaner Options are Here Now
(Oakland, CA, April, 2003) -- May is the American Lung Association’s Clean Air Month and the organization is launching a major public information campaign in California to raise public awareness about the need for everyone to work to reduce air pollution and the availability of cleaner transportation options. "Clean Air is Everyone’s Business: Cleaner Options are Here Now" is this year’s theme.
Motor vehicle exhaust from gasoline and diesel-powered engines is a major source of air pollution. Switching to cleaner-fueled vehicles such as electric, natural gas, hybrid-electric or fuel cell is one way we can all help reduce air pollution.
"We have to stop driving ourselves sick," said Anne Kennedy, RRT, RCP, chair of the board of the American Lung Association of California. "Your average new SUV or truck spews 35 pounds of smog every 15,000 miles, while an electric car puts out zero emissions and a hybrid-electric car emits one pound. That’s a big difference we can all make."
The American Lung Association of California is encouraging the public to support available hybrid-electric vehicles and to demand that car companies make hybrid-electric vehicles in more models, including SUVs, as soon as possible. The American Lung Association of California has a list of recommended cleaner-fueled vehicles on its Web site at http://californialung.org/spotlight/vehicles.html.
More than 4 million Californians live with lung disease, a leading cause of death in America that is growing faster than almost any other leading killer. The American Lung Association is committed to reducing the rising death rate, and fighting air pollution is one way to do that.
Diesel exhaust, particulate matter, ozone, and other air pollutants are serious threats to public health. Diesel exhaust has been linked to lung cancer and in 1998, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) formally listed diesel particulate as a toxic air contaminant. In fact, diesel particulates are the most significant source of air toxics in California and account for 70 percent of the cancer risk from toxic air contaminants statewide, according to CARB. Diesel exhaust can also exacerbate lung diseases such as asthma and emphysema.
Particulate matter is among the most harmful of all air pollutants. When inhaled, these tiny particles can lodge deep into the lungs. Particulate matter has been linked to increased asthma attacks, increased hospitalizations for respiratory and heart conditions, and lung cancer. Recent research has also linked exposure to relatively low levels of particulate matter with premature death. Those at greatest risk are the elderly and people with pre-existing respiratory or heart disease.
Ozone air pollution, or smog, irritates the lung lining and causes inflammation. A comprehensive study of children in Southern California shows that ozone air pollution may actually cause asthma. It has also been associated with decreased lung function and increased respiratory illnesses and asthma attacks.
To help reduce air pollution, the American Lung Association has been working in California to encourage governments and businesses to switch their fleets to cleaner-fueled vehicles. More than 30 cities and counties in California have adopted cleaner transportation policies, resolving to buy cleaner-fueled cars, vans, buses and trucks.
Every Californian can make a difference in the fight against air pollution by driving less and making their next vehicle purchase a cleaner-fueled vehicle. Carpool, ride your bike and walk more, take the train and bus whenever possible, and test drive an electric, natural gas or hybrid-electric vehicle. Reduced purchase and rental rates are available on cleaner-fueled vehicles at the American Lung Association’s Web site through a partnership with EV Rental Cars.
Businesses, schools and other organizations can fight air pollution by encouraging carpooling and bicycling, offering incentives for using low-pollution forms of transportation, encouraging employees to telecommute whenever possible and purchasing company vehicles and buses powered by cleaner fuels.
The American Lung Association of California is also offering print ads during May that provide health facts about diesel and tell Californians "There’s Even More You Should Know About Diesel." They can be downloaded from the association’s Web site.
For more information about Clean Air Month activities in your area, call your local American Lung Association at 1.800.LUNG.USA or visit our Web site at www.californialung.org.
The American Lung Association, which has been fighting lung disease for nearly 100 years, is one of the only voluntary health agencies that advocates for clean air policies. With the generous support of the public and the help of our volunteers, we have seen many advances against lung disease. However, our work is not finished. In our second century, we will continue to strive to make breathing easier for everyone. Along with our medical section, the California Thoracic Society, we provide educational programs, community service, advocacy and research. The American Lung Association's activities are supported by Christmas Seals and Chanukah and Kwanzaa e-Greetings, along with other voluntary contributions. For more information, visit www.californialung.org.
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Clean Air Month 2003 Links
28 California Counties Receive F Grades for Ozone Air Pollution According to State of the Air Report
-- American Lung Association Raises Awareness About Cleaner Transportation Options during Clean Air Month in May
(News Release -- May 1, 2003)
State of the Air Report 2003 report (with California data).
(1.1MB PDF - requires free Adobe® Acrobat® Reader)
American Lung Association Raises Awareness About Cleaner Transportation Options During Clean Air Month in May
-- "Clean Air is Everyone’s Business: Cleaner Options are Here Now"
(News Release -- April, 2003)
Print Ads: There’s Even More You Should Know About Diesel
View or Download Ads
Clean Air is Everyone’s Business
Tips for Fighting Air Pollution in Your Community
Cleaner Vehicles
Clean Fleets Program & Zero-Emission Vehicles Information
Recent Scientific Findings on Health Effects of Air Pollution and Diesel Exhaust
California Air District Resource Directory
Frequently Asked Questions About Diesel Technologies and Fuels
Particulate Matter Air Pollution - There’s Even More You Should Know About Particulate Matter
Public Health and Diesel
Fact Sheet
Renewable Energy - There’s Even More You Should Know About Renewable Energy
There’s Even More You Should Know About Smart Growth, Urban Sprawl, Air Quality and Health
Fact Sheet
Clean Air Month 2003 Proclamation
Sample Proclamation for California Cities & Counties
Milestones in Air Pollution History
American Lung Association Timeline
Cleaner Fuels -- There’s Even More You Should Know About Cleaner Vehicles
Environmental Justice
Fact Sheet
Position Statement: Reducing Public Exposure To Diesel Emissions From Heavy Duty Vehicles
Air Quality Fact Sheets
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