Idle-Free School Zones
In an effort to help keep the outdoor air at our schools clean to breathe, we are
encouraging schools to voluntarily adopt an idle-free policy. Pollution from vehicle
exhaust is unhealthy to breathe, especially for children with pre-existing respiratory
illnesses. Drivers of each individual car and bus can help improve our air quality by
taking one simple action!
If you drive children to and from school, PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR ENGINE when parked
outside the school.
|
|
 |
It's a FACT:
- In Johnson County, one in every ten children under the age of 18 has asthma.
- In 2004, asthma accounted for an estimated 14 million lost school days for
children nationwide. It is the leading cause of school absenteeism attributed
to chronic conditions.
- Idling = zero miles per gallon.
Make an Idle-Free Zone Kit for your School!
Use the following materials to help your school implement a successful idle-free zone.
 |
|
|
Wendell says: "Hey Kids! Remind the adults in your life to turn off
their cars while they are waiting for you at school. It's not good for you and your
friends to breathe all that exhaust!" |
|
Why Be Idle-Free?
Cars and buses emit exhaust that pollutes the air. Children are particularly vulnerable to
air pollution. They breathe faster than adults and inhale more air per pound of body weight.
This is why it is so important to decrease pollution from engines idling outside our schools.
Air quality improves immediately with each car and bus that is not idling because the
amount of particulate matter and harmful gases emitted decrease. There are also long term air quality
benefits. An anti-idling policy will help reduce the chances of ground-level ozone pollution
from forming which is a major problem in the Kansas City region. It will also reduce the amount
of greenhouse gases emitted which are contributing to global warming. Eliminating unnecessary
idling is a simple, cost-effective way to help reduce children's exposure to air pollution and
improve the health of our community.
Sources: American Lung Association and Environmental Protection Agency
Special thanks to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Bureau of Air and Radiation
for partially funding this project.
Additional Programs
Click on the links below to learn about additional programs.
|
