Porterville, California

            ... this is air quality awareness week...

The environmental protection agency and state and local governments
work constantly to make the air cleaner across the country through
air quality standards and rules to reduce pollution from power
plants, industries, cars, diesel trucks, buses and construction
equipment. But you have a role to play too. Any time you use
energy, whether it is gasoline, diesel, electricity or wood, you
contribute to air pollution in your community and communities
downwind.

Saving energy reduces pollution, and it also saves Money. Use the
following guidelines to help keep air cleaner in your community.
You can help reduce pollution in your community by following these
guidelines. These recommendations are especially important when
ozone is expected to be unhealthy:

    * choose a cleaner commute: share a ride to work or use public
      transportation. Combine errands and reduce trips.
    * Delay using gasoline powered lawn and garden equipment until
      later in the day or until days when the air quality is better.
    * Limit engine idling.
    * Get regular engine tune ups and car maintenance
      checks, especially the spark plugs.

You can help prevent or reduce unhealthy levels of particle
pollution with these actions:

    * reduce or eliminate fireplace and wood stove use.
    * Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
    * Avoid burning leavestrash and other materials.
    * Replace your car's air filter and oil regularly

Deodorants, hair spray, cleaning products and air fresheners are
just a few examples of commonly used items containing smog forming
chemicals known as volatile organic compounds, or "vocs". They are
widely used in the San Joaquin Valley and create 22 tons of air
pollution every day. Here is how you can become an air-friendly
consumer:

    * keep the tops closed on all paints and solvents and store them
      in airtight containers.
    * Select products that are water-based or contain low amounts of vocs.
    * Paint with brushes and rollers instead of sprayers.

Cleaner air starts with you. For more information on air quality
awareness week, please visit airquality.NOAA.Gov. For air quality
information specific to the San Joaquin Valley, please visit
valleyair.Org.