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Municipalities
Why Focus on Municipalities?
Local governments can implement idle-reduction ordinances to help improve air quality and residents' health.
Idling unnecessarily contributes to air pollution. Motor vehicles emit close to 40% of the total air pollution in Linn County. Toxic air pollutants and pollutants that contribute to ozone pollution are also emitted in vehicle exhaust.
Poor air quality can affect the health of those who live, work, and play in these areas, Children, adults over 65, and those with respiratory conditions are especially vulnerable. Additionally, vehicle exhaust contains air toxics that can increase the risk of cancer. The fine particles in the exhaust can lead to heart attacks.
Furthermore, municipalities can cut costs by adopting idle-reduction measures for vehicle fleets.
What can Municipalities do?
- Adopt an idle-reduction ordinance.
- Post "Idle-Free Zone" signs in parking areas.
- Enforce the ordinance on a consistent basis.
- Educate the public on the importance of idle-reduction.
- Work with truck drivers and trucking companies to find ways to reduce truck idling.
How Linn County Public Health can Help...
- Provide an Idle-Free Zone kit, including sample ordinances, letters to employees, fact sheets, and metal Idle-Free signs.
- Provide outdoor Idle-Free Zone signs for parking areas.
- Offer free technical support.
- Promote the municipality's Idle-Free efforts using press releases, Linn County's Outdoor Air Quality website, and Linn County Public Health's Facebook page.