AIR QUALITY
Overall, Air Quality in the Central Florida area is improving.
1. Orlando
Air Quality Trends 
2. Carbon
Monoxide Levels
3. Sulfur
Dioxide Trends
4. Nitrogen
Dioxide Trends
5. Particulate
Matter Trends
Ozone is the prime focus of Air Quality discussions in Central
Florida. Ozone is not emitted directly by industrial plants
or mobile sources such as automobiles. Instead, ozone is the
result of a chemical reaction involving sunlight and volatile
organic compounds. In Central Florida ozone levels are usually
highest on hot stagnant days in the summer. On most days ozone
levels are well within the healthy range.
6. Ozone
Trends
One of the gases which contributes to Ozone is Nitrogen Dioxide.
Nitrogen Dioxide is emitted naturally by trees and plants.
However, Nitrogen Dioxide also comes from stationary sources
(industrial plants and power plants) and mobile sources (airplanes,
trains, and automobiles).
7. Nitrogen
Dioxide Sources
Central Florida is currently meeting Clean Air Standards and
has clean air compared to many other parts of the country
such as Atlanta, Georgia.
8. Comparison
of Air Quality: Orlando vs. Atlanta
The United States Department of Environmental Protection is
implementing stricter standards for automobile and light truck
emissions. These new standards are predicted to cut Nitrogen
Dioxide emissions up to 92 percent for light trucks and Sport
Utility Vehicles. Efforts are also underway to cut Power Plant
emissions in Florida. These changes should continue to improve
the quality of the air we breath.
There are ways you can help keep ozone levels
down:
1. Trip Chain:
Get all your running around done in one trip. A car that's
been sitting for more than an hour produces up to five times
as many emissions as when it's warmed up.
2. Share the trip: Take a friend or mass transit to
work or join a car pool. In Central Florida, call 843-POOL
for help.
3. Care for your car: Keep it tuned up, keep tires
inflated and aligned, keep the oil clean. You'll improve your
gas mileage, help reduce traffic congestion from preventable
breakdowns, and reduce emissions.
4. Don't fume!: Fueling and using solvents and oil-based
paints early in the day or in the evening cuts the release
of fumes that can heat up and create ozone.
5. Bike, skate, jog or walk: Using your legs gets you
and the air in better shape.
6. Limit engine idling: Even the cleanest engines pollute
less when they're turned off. Cut off the engine and cut down
on emissions.
7. Conserve energy: Turn off lights and adjust thermostats
to reduce demand for gas and electricity. Call your utility
provider for tips on how to make your home or office more
energy efficient.
8. Mow when the sun is low: You can cut emissions by
cutting your lawn in the cooler evening hours. Same goes for
blowers, trimmers and other gasoline powered tools.
9. Telecommute or teleconference: Working at home and
using the phone when you can saves fuel AND time.
10. Tell a friend: Getting just one more friend to
help makes a big difference.
Other Resources:
Florida Department of Environmental Protection: Ozone Net 
U.S.
Department of Environmental Protection: Office
of Air Quality Planning and Standards
Researchers Say E-PASS Reduces Pollution
E-PASS has cut toxic
vehicle emissions by 7 percent despite a 30 percent increase
in traffic, according to a 1997 study released by the University
of Central Florida, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Researchers compared vehicle emissions at the Holland East Main
Plaza before and after the implementation of E-PASS.
Before E-PASS, the average driver waited up to 3 minutes during
rush hour to pay their toll at the Holland East Main Plaza.
Over the course of a year that amounts to 9 hours of waiting
in traffic. With the implementation of E-PASS, delays were virtually
eliminated, although traffic volume increased by more than 30
percent during the study period. Despite the significant increase
in traffic, overall emissions of toxic chemicals like Carbon
Monoxide were reduced by 5 kilograms per rush hour or about
7 percent. The average emissions reduction per vehicle was about
30 percent.
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