Air, you can’t see it, you can’t touch it. You often don’t even think about breathing it. Yet, it is a resource we can only live minutes without. That’s why keeping the air we breathe clean is a top priority for our health.
Air is polluted by many different activities.  Industries add to the air pollution problem through manufacturing processes, the burning of coal, oil and other fossil fuels and even painting operations.

Residents, on the other hand, pollute our air by doing simple things like filling up the car with gas, dry cleaning clothes or using electricity. All of these activities add gases and particles to the air we breathe.

Although we have made significant progress towards controlling and preventing air pollution, in the future there will be more people and more cars. Air pollution will remain a concern. This is why every single one of us needs to pitch in. Do it for the environment, for our community, but more importantly do it because every breath we take depends on it. Remember, it all adds up to cleaner air.

The Pollutants in our Air
Our Air, Our Health
What is Miami-Dade County doing?
Ways in which you can you help

The Pollutants in our Air

No one wants to breathe polluted air, so it’s our responsibility to keep it free of several harmful pollutants including particulate matter and ground level ozone.

Particulate matter, or PM, is the term for particles found in the air, including dust, dirt, soot, smoke and liquid droplets. Some particles are large or dark enough to be seen as soot or smoke. Others are so small that they can only be detected with an electron microscope. Sources of particulates include cars, trucks, buses, factories, construction sites, farming activities and unpaved roads.

The second pollutant of concern is ground level ozone, also known as smog, which is formed when compounds from vehicle emissions react with sunlight and heat. Not only does Miami Dade County have over 2 million cars on the road, but it also has the ideal sunny environment to create this pollutant.

Although they’re one of the main conveniences of our modern world, cars are one of the main causes of air pollution. The amount you drive, what you drive, how you drive, and the way your car is maintained, all affect the amount of fuel consumed and, in turn, the amount of exhaust emissions. These emissions give off dangerous pollutants that make the air we breathe very unhealthy.
 

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Our Air, Our Health

Breathing polluted air can trigger a variety of health problems including chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, and congestion. It can worsen bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma. It can also reduce lung function and inflame the linings of the lungs. Repeated exposure can even permanently scar lung tissue.

And don’t think that air pollution only affects people in poor health. One of the high-risk groups includes people who are often active outdoors. Others at risk include children and people with respiratory diseases.  Research has shown that even low levels of ozone can greatly affect a child’s health.

Whether you’re in one of these high risk groups or not, the best way to protect your health is to find out when ozone levels are elevated in your area and take simple precautions to minimize exposure. You can do this by knowing the day’s Air Quality Index, or AQI.  The Index provides us with information on air quality that is measured by a nationwide monitoring system that records concentrations of ozone and several other air pollutants in major metropolitan areas of the United States.

This monitoring system not only tells the public what’s in the air on any particular day, but also lets them know how safe it is to breathe. The Index is made up of several categories, ranging from ‘good’ to ‘hazardous,’ with each corresponding to a different level of health concern and recommended action.
 

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What is Miami-Dade County doing?

• Miami-Dade County has increased their fleet of fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles.  They’re helping pave the way to a more environmentally friendly commute.
• Since mass transit is vital to achieving clean air, Miami-Dade County has doubled their bus fleet and increased the number of routes, which encourages residents to leave their cars at home. This reduces pollution caused from single occupancy vehicles.
• Miami-Dade County is also working towards improved air quality by providing a way for cyclists to travel on public transit with their bikes.  They can now take a single-seat two-wheeler on extended trips anytime, and just about anywhere in Miami-Dade County on many Metrobus routes, Metrorail and also Metromover.

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Ways in which you can you help

Emissions from cars and trucks are the primary source of air pollution.  And, the amount you drive, what you drive, how you drive, and the way your car is maintained, all affect fuel consumption and the pollutants emitted. Fortunately, there are several simple steps you can take to help improve the quality of the air we breathe:

• Combine errands into one trip and plan your route to limit driving time.  It will cause less traffic congestion and less pollution and save you time.
• When possible, ride a bike or walk. These are the best choices of all not only for our air but also for your health.
• If you have a choice of vehicles, drive the more fuel-efficient low-emitting vehicle for your longer trips. If possible, go hybrid. You’ll get increased fuel efficiency and reduced emissions without sacrificing performance or comfort.
• The best way to reduce vehicle emissions is to reduce the number of cars on the road. An easy way to do this is by carpooling.  A typical worker who switches from driving alone to carpooling saves more than $1000 a year & avoids driving an average of 5,000 miles per year.
• Avoid high speeds:  speeding increases air resistance, which requires more gas. You can improve your gas mileage about 15 percent by driving at 55 mph rather than 65 mph.
• Accelerate slowly from a full stop. It uses about 50% less gas than a jackrabbit start.
• Don’t “rev” the engine excessively. It wastes gas, producing even more emissions.
• Avoid lengthy idling times. Turning off and starting an engine uses less gasoline than letting the engine idle for 30 seconds.
• Keep your car well maintained.  It improves your gas mileage, reduces emissions and helps help reduce traffic congestion due to preventable breakdowns.
  

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