OTA welcomes new business partners in June
PeaceHealth, Oregon Region is the latest business to join Oregon Toxic Alliance’s Healthy Air Oregon campaign.
“PeaceHealth joined the campaign because it offers a money-saving solution to a chronic health care problem simply by raising awareness and giving people an easy way to make a difference,” says Jenny Ulum, Director of Public Affairs & Advocacy at PeaceHealth, Oregon Region. “The campaign should help our patients, vendors and employees breathe cleaner air, reduce our carbon footprint and improve Oregon’s environment.”
An employee education campaign is being developed to raise awareness about the dangers of exposure to pollutants found in vehicle exhaust: benzene, carbon dioxide and particulate matter.
On the new alliance with Lane County’s largest hospital, Lisa Arkin, Executive Director of Oregon Toxics Alliance, said, “Environmental advocates and h Health care providers, like PeaceHealth, are natural allies in the effort to diminish disease and suffering. Air pollution in general is a major risk factor for many chronic illnesses, so this partnership just makes a lot of sense.”
The Oregon chapter of the American Lung Association also signed on the statewide campaign.
Why it’s important to stop idling when not in the routine flow of traffic…
- Protects our health by reducing the risk of cancer, heart disease and asthma (link to PDF from DEQ on health risks).
- Reduces climate-changing greenhouse gases. Each driver who turns off the motor instead of 5 minutes of idling, just reduced CO2 emissions by 1/2 pound.
- Saves money by not wasting fuel and reduces wear and tear on engines that comes from idling.
A driver can save as much as $150 each year by not idling. [Read our PDF document on the wise economics of a No Idling policy: "Idling By The Numbers."]
“Our goal is simple: to end unnecessary idling in Oregon,” Lisa Arkin explains. “Partnering with Oregon businesses is part of a groundswell of support for healthier air.”
The recommendation is: if you are going to be parked for more than 20 seconds, turn off the engine. Ten seconds of idling uses more fuel than turning off the engine and restarting it.
