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Office of Sustainability

AIR

The federal EPA has labeled the Chicago region as a "non-attainment area," which means our air doesn't meet EPA air quality standards. The primary concern is ground level ozone, or smog. It's especially prevalent on hot summer days when heat causes chemicals in the air to generate ozone. It's hard on everyone, but especially on those who have asthma or other respiratory disorders. Chicago and the surrounding area have an alarming asthma rate.

 

The City of Evanston has taken action by joining Clean Air Counts, a six-county Chicago regional initiative of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, the US EPA - Region V, the City of Chicago and Illinois EPA. It seeks significant reductions in smog-forming pollutants and energy consumption. The City of Evanston became a Silver Clean Air Counts member in 2006, and is now working on achieving Gold member status.

City of Evanston Examples:

The City of Evanston passed Ordinance 70-0-96 amending the Evanston City Code which regulates the use of backpack-mounted or hand-held gasoline-powered leaf blower types of machines. Use of these machines is prohibited during parts of the year.

 

Evanston City Council adopted an anti-idling ordinance at the June 26, 2006, City Council meeting. The ordinance prohibits standing or parked vehicles that are over 8,000 lbs. in gross weight from idling their engines for more than five minutes in any 60 minute period.

 

The City of Evanston Department of Health and Human Services hosted a No Mower Pollution event in May of 2006 to collect and exchange old gas cans and gas powered mowers. The program will be offered again this spring, starting on Earth Day, April 22nd and running through Labor Day weekend. For details, visit the City of Evanston's No Mower Pollution program page.

 

The City of Evanston uses B20 bio diesel in all of its diesel fleet. B20 has fewer harmful emissions than regular diesel. In addition, the City has retro-fitted many of its diesel engines to reduce soot, hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions with the assistance of Clean Air Counts grant funding.

What Can You Do?

Alternative Transportation:

For every 1,000 commuters who bike or use public transit instead of driving, air pollution is reduced by 25 tons per year.

  • Bike, walk or jog to work
  • Rideshare with a co-worker, family member or friend
  • Take public transportation
  • Telecommute
  • Ask your employer to establish van pools, encourage telecommuting, have office rideshare programs, reward the use of public transit and install showers and secure storage for bikers and joggers

Save Electricity (see energy section for tips):

Residential energy accounts for about 15% of all nitrogen oxide emissions, 20% of all US carbon dioxide emissions and 26% of all sulfur dioxide emissions. Office buildings and other industrial facilities are big contributors too.

 

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs):

VOCs are chemicals that get in the air and produce ozone or smog. You can prevent the release of VOCs by:

  • Replacing old gas cans (for portable machinery) with environmentally friendly gas cans. Replace gas cans through the City of Evanston's gas can replacement program. For details the Department of Health and Human Services at 847.866.2969.
  • Using low VOC paints and cleaning products at home and in the workplace.
  • Using low VOC building materials during construction of homes and buildings. These VOC emissions are linked to "sick building" syndrome.
  • Pave streets, parking lots and other surfaces with non-petroleum based products and special formulas for coatings and sealants. For every one acre of "low-impact" paving, up to 2 tons of VOC emissions are eliminated.

Landscaping and Lawn Care:

Caring for lawns or plants not native to the Chicago area can contribute to air pollution is you use gas powered mowers and non organic pesticides and fertilizers. A gas-powered lawn mower pollutes as much in one hour as driving an automobile for 350 miles. The use of lawn equipment accounts for 60 tons of VOC emissions per day during summer months in the Chicago area.

  • Replace gas powered lawn mowers and yard equipment with manual or electric equipment. Exchange your gas mower through the City of Evanston's No Mower Pollution program through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1, 2008.
  • Replace lawn and non-native plants with native species. Native species reduce water and chemical use.

Vehicle Fleets:

Old diesel vehicles can emit almost 8 tons of pollution per year.

  • Encourage your employer to operate an environmentally friendly fleet of vehicles and equipment - delivery trucks, construction equipment, etc.
  • Use diesel retrofit technology to reduce soot, hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions (these involve using a catalyst, filter or alternative fuel)

Additional Energy Efficiency Resources:

Clean Air Counts

IL Environmental Protection Agency Bureau of Air

US Environmental Protection Agency