Resources
Idle Free Zones
Reducing idling is a simple way to improve our air
Idling pollutes the air at ground level – where we breathe.
Unnecessary idling of cars, trucks, and school buses pollutes the air, wastes fuel, and causes excess engine wear. When vehicles idle, they emit carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. Reducing idling is a small action that can lead to a significant impact.
Reducing idling conserves fuel and reduces emissions, leading to cleaner air, better public health and a healthier environment. Idling is harmful, wasteful and costly.
Idling explained
“Idling” refers to leaving the engine running when your car is not moving. Often, idling is not necessary and can have negative effects on the environment — and your health.
Exhaust from idling vehicles contributes to the formation of ozone pollution, which can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation and, in higher concentrations, asthma, bronchitis, and decreased lung function. Long-term exposure to air pollutants, like vehicle emissions, increases the risk of respiratory illnesses, such as allergies, asthma, and lung cancer.
Idling is most common in places where it is required to stay in a vehicle and wait. Places that have more idling pollution include school pick-up lines, grocery pick-up services, drive-thrus and airports.
What can I do?
- Promote an anti-idling policy at your child’s school or at schools in your area. The AirQ Program provides free “Idle-Free Zone” signs FREE to any school in the Kansas City metro area.
- Turn off your engine when parked, and encourage friends and family to do the same.
- Download the Idle Free Zone toolkit.
