We must lower auto emissions to clear the air

As we send the kids back to school and bid farewell to summer, we also should be celebrating the fact that our kids suffered through fewer days with bad air-quality alerts this year than last.

The provisions of the Clean Air Act are resulting in improvements overall in our air quality and a reduction in the number of smog-alert days occurring in central Ohio. Ozone is the most widespread air pollutant, created by the reaction of sunlight on emissions from vehicles and other sources.


In fact, cleaner gasoline and vehicle standards currently being reviewed by the Enironmental Protection Agency (Tier 3) could make an even bigger difference. Emissions from cars and light trucks are a major source of dangerous air pollution.



Cleaner gasoline standards will drastically reduce tailpipe emissions by the equivalent of taking 33 million cars off the road.


That is a lesson worth learning.



Planning and Accreditation

Columbus Public Health