What is Smog?
Smog is a combination of toxic gases and substances that react in
sunlight to create that yellowish-brown haze that we have become so
familiar with. Smog pollutants are generated naturally or by human
activity. Human activity, like the burning of fuel for electricity,
heating/cooling and transportation, is the largest source of these air
pollutants.
Smog can have extensive health impacts, especially on young people and
the elderly. By following our suggestions you can lower the amount of
pollutants released into the atmosphere and reduce the occurrence of
smog.
Getting There (and Back):
1. On smog days, do use public transit, work from home or carpool. One
busload of passengers takes 40 vehicles off the road during rush hour
and avoids 9 tonnes of air pollutants per year that contribute to smog.
Of course you can also walk, bike, or roller-blade/skate.
2. If you must drive, drive smart. Driving at moderate speeds rather than
braking and restarting constantly, will save fuel.
3. Don't idle. Idling for even one minute depletes more fuel than turning
the car engine off and re-starting it.
Keeping Cool:
4. Wherever possible, do stay indoors. Seniors and children should avoid
strenuous physical activity.
5. Don't use air conditioning unless absolutely necessary. Fans use a lot
less energy and they help you feel cooler by creating a breeze. When
using your A/C, set the thermostat to 26oC.
6. If you live in an older house, do vent your home. At night, if the
temperature outdoors falls lower than the temperature indoors, open all
windows to introduce cool, fresh air into your home.
7. Do utilise blinds and curtains to block off excessive heat from direct
sunlight. In the morning, close all blinds on the south, west and east
sides of your home. Plan to spend as much time as possible in cooler
parts of your house, for example, the basement.
8. Do use your programmable thermostat (or install one!) When you're away
during the day raise the temperature.
Appliance Fever:
10. Do reduce your water usage - a substantial amount of energy is
consumed each day in pumping, treatment, delivery and heating of water.
Wait for another day to water plants or wash the car. And remember -
watering your lawn once a week is quite enough.
11. Do use appliances that are energy and water draining (e.g. washer,
dryer, dishwasher etc) at night, when the demand for electricity is
lower. The dirty coal-fired power plants, which contribute heavily to
smog, are used less at night than during the peak hours of the day.
12. Do turn off your computer when it's not in use. Put it into energy
saver mode and turn off the monitor when it's idle.
Common Sense:
13. Do turn off all lights when not in use. And use the sun as a light
source whenever possible.
14. Don't use your barbeque, lawn mower or gas powered weed trimmer -
these items are heavy polluters.
SMOG DAYS RESOURCES
