URGENT!

The New York State Department of Transportation has declared that Tuesday, July 8, 2008 will be an Air Quality Action Day in the New York metro area due to forecasted high levels of ground-level ozone pollution. While tomorrow will still be a day when people can go about most of their normal activities, such as going to work, driving may be one of the most polluting activities that you do tomorrow, and we encourage everyone to leave their cars at home if possible.

Ground-level ozone is a respiratory irritant that can trigger asthma attacks and aggravate emphysema, bronchitis and other respiratory ailments. Children, people with pre-existing respiratory or heart conditions, people doing strenuous outdoor work or exercise and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to the effects of ozone.

As an employer, there are several steps you can take to help your employees reduce the formation of pollution and ensure their health and productivity:

The most important step is to let your employees know about the Air Quality Action Day by forwarding this e-mail to them.Encourage employees to take the following actions on Air Quality Action Days:
☺        Combine errands into a single trip, rather than separate trips. This can help save time and reduce pollution. 
☺        Postpone unnecessary trips. Avoiding motor vehicle trips on Air Quality Action Days will prevent the formation of air pollution.
☺        Take the subway, bus or train to and from work or other destinations on Air Quality Action Days.
☺        Ride in a carpool if you know someone to share a ride with.
☺        Refuel your vehicle in the evening when it is cooler outside.
☺        Avoid letting your vehicle idle, such as at the fast food or bank teller drive-thru.
☺        Avoid operating gas-powered gardening equipment such as lawn mowers on Air Quality Action Days. Wait for a day when air quality is better.
☺        Develop a commuter benefits program and/or telecommute policy for your organization. It’s good for your employees and makes business sense.
☺        Refuel fleet vehicles in the evening when it is cooler outside on Air Quality Action Days.
☺        Avoid fleet vehicle idling every day and especially on Air Quality Action Days.
☺        Take our message home with you. Tell your friends and family about the upcoming Air Quality Action Day.

To learn more about improving air quality or developing a commuter benefits program, visit CleanAirNY.org or call 1-877-ILUVAIR (1-877-458-8247).  Clean Air NY is sponsored by the New York State Department of Transportation in support of regionwide air-quality efforts.  If you want to opt out of these Air Quality Action Day Bulletins, send an e-mail to info@CleanAirNY.org.  To ensure the delivery of these Bulletins, please be sure to add info@CleanAirNY.org to your e-mail address book or safe list.