Air quality

Spare the Air is an awareness campaign and a call to action. The campaign informs people about the dangerous health effects of air pollution and asks residents to drive less to reduce pollution when a Spare the Air Alert is issued.

Typically, a Spare the Air Alert is issued during peak ozone months, May–October, when ground-level ozone (smog) is forecast to meet or exceed 126 on the Air Quality Index (AQI). However, we have seen alerts at other times of the year or for other reasons, when the air quality is poor and the AQI exceeds recommended levels.

• Aggravate respiratory disease such as emphysema, bronchitis and asthma
• Cause lung damage, even after symptoms such as coughing or a sore throat disappear
• Cause wheezing, chest pain, dry throat, headache or nausea
• Reduce resistance to infections
• Increase fatigue
• Weaken athletic performance

Anyone – even healthy people – can experience health impacts from air pollution, including respiratory irritation or breathing difficulties during exercise or outdoor activities. Your actual risk of adverse effects depends on your current health status, the pollutant type and concentration, and the length of your exposure.  

High air pollution levels can cause immediate health problems, including: 

• Aggravated cardiovascular and respiratory illness
• Added stress to heart and lungs, which must work harder to supply the body with oxygen
• Damaged cells in the respiratory system

Long-term exposure to polluted air can have permanent health effects, such as: 

• Accelerated aging of the lungs
• Loss of lung capacity and decreased lung function
• Development of diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and possibly cancer 
• Shortened life span

Those most susceptible to health problems from air pollution are: 

• Children
• Older adults and the elderly
• Individuals with heart disease, coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure
• Individuals with lung diseases, including asthma, emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Pregnant women
• Outdoor workers
• Outdoor athletes

People in these groups may experience health impacts at lower air pollution levels, or feel health effects more severely at any level.

• Aggravate respiratory disease such as emphysema, bronchitis and asthma
• Cause lung damage, even after symptoms such as coughing or a sore throat disappear
• Cause wheezing, chest pain, dry throat, headache or nausea
• Reduce resistance to infections
• Increase fatigue
• Weaken athletic performance

1. Drive less, especially when a Spare the Air Alert is in effect
2. Use a zero emission transportation option such as biking, walking or driving an electric vehicle
3. Take public transit or carpool 
4. Bring your lunch to work
5. Use a propane grill
6. Use an electric lawn mower, electric leaf blower, electric-power tools and other electric lawn/garden equipment
7. Refuel after the sun goes down
8. Buy or lease a plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle
9. Work from home
10. Don’t idle – turn off your engine when parked

• Get a text
• Get Email AirAlerts
• Add the widget to your website
• Get a call
• Get the iPhone app
• Get the Android app

Get all of these resources at the Spare the Air website.