Turn the Key. Be Idle Free.
Why does Vehicle Idling Matter?
When we think of the many things that contribute to our Colorado Nonattainment Area summer ground-level ozone problem, vehicle idling is frequently mentioned.
Vehicle idling occurs when a vehicle's engine is running while the vehicle is stopped. Idling may seem harmless, but it releases pollutants into the air, even when you're not going anywhere
The Impacts of Vehicle Idling
Air pollutants that come from idling can be associated with asthma, impaired lung function/development, increased allergies, impaired reproductive health, and lead to cancer and cardiovascular diseases later in life
Idling puts 150 balloons worth of harmful pollution into the air every minute, including particulate matter and ozone precursors
For each hour spent idling the average car waste about 1/4 gallon of gasoline. Idling for 10 seconds uses more fuel than turning the engine on and off.
While idling, a car's engine might not reach its optimal operating temperature. Leading to incomplete fuel combustion, which in turn can cause fuel residue to build up on engine components and contaminate engines oil.
Children breathe ~50% more air per pound of body weight than adults, meaning a higher dose of pollutants when they come in contact