Air Watch Northwest | Anti Idling | Letter to Delivery Drivers

Dear Delivery Driver:

Every day we are faced with thousands of choices. Some are as simple as what kind of milk to buy, what to wear, what to eat or what to watch on TV. One important choice you make every day is "To Idle or Not to Idle." As a member of the community and a person who spends significant time driving, you have the ability to set an example while making a difference in Washington's air quality and the health of the students at this school.

(Name of organization) has identified unnecessary vehicle idling as a contributor to poor health and pollution in our state. We are asking you to set the example for the rest of the community by not idling whenever possible during your workday. We have attached a fact sheet to help illustrate just how critical this issue is.

To illustrate this point, a single vehicle dropping off and picking up one child at one school puts three pounds of pollution into the air per month. In addition, idling consumes from ½ gallon to one gallon of fuel per hour and uses more fuel than turning your engine off and on. A slight change in the way we operate our vehicles can mean a dramatic reduction in air pollution and can save your company money in fuel.

Please sign the pledge form demonstrating your commitment. As a thank you for this pledge we would like to give you a free key chain and a gift from (Name of business), who is also committed to cleaner and healthier air.

Idling Reduction Fact Sheet

Did you know?

Each of us takes 20,000 breaths each day.
The average American breathes 3,400 gallons of air a day.
Children breathe 50 percent more air per pound than adults.
Vehicle exhaust is the leading source of toxic air pollution in Washington.
Idling consumes from ½ gallon to one gallon of fuel per hour and wastes more fuel than turning off and on your vehicle engine.
Diesel exhaust contains microscopic soot, a particle that is about 200 times smaller than the period at the end of this sentence.
Diesel exhaust contains both very small particles and 40 chemicals that are classified as "hazardous air pollutants" under the Clean Air Act.
Idling buses tend to accumulate diesel exhaust, which may be retained during the ride depending upon bus ventilation rates.
It is more efficient to turn off most warmed-up vehicles than to idle for more than 30 seconds.
A single vehicle dropping off and picking up kids at one school puts three pounds of pollution into the air per month.
Carbon monoxide reduces the ability of blood to bring oxygen to body cells and tissues.
Asthma is reaching epidemic proportions in Washington. More than half a million Washington residents have been diagnosed with asthma, including one out of every 10 children in the state.
Children's asthma symptoms increase as a result of car exhaust.
Asthma is the most common chronic illness in children and the cause of most school absences.
Exposure to vehicle exhaust increases the risk of death from heart and lung disease and lung cancer.


No Idle Zone / Anti-Idling
Dear Delivery Driver: Every day we are faced with thousands of choices. Some are as simple as what kind of milk to buy, what to wear, what to eat or what to watch on TV. One important choice you make every day is "To Idle or Not to Idle." As a member of the community and a person who spends significant time driving, you have the ability to set an example while making a difference in Washington's air quality and the health of the students at this school. (Name of organization) has identified unnecessary vehicle idling as a contributor to poor health and pollution in our state. We are asking you to set the example for the rest of the community by not idling whenever possible during your workday. We have attached a fact sheet to help illustrate just how critical this issue is. To illustrate this point, a single vehicle dropping off and picking up one child at one school puts three pounds of pollution into the air per month. In addition, idling consumes from ½ gallon to one gallon of fuel per hour and uses more fuel than turning your engine off and on. A slight change in the way we operate our vehicles can mean a dramatic reduction in air pollution and can save your company money in fuel. Please sign the pledge form demonstrating your commitment. As a thank you for this pledge we would like to give you a free key chain and a gift from (Name of business), who is also committed to cleaner and healthier air. Idling Reduction Fact Sheet Did you know? Each of us takes 20,000 breaths each day. The average American breathes 3,400 gallons of air a day. Children breathe 50 percent more air per pound than adults. Vehicle exhaust is the leading source of toxic air pollution in Washington. Idling consumes from ½ gallon to one gallon of fuel per hour and wastes more fuel than turning off and on your vehicle engine. Diesel exhaust contains microscopic soot, a particle that is about 200 times smaller than the period at the end of this sentence. Diesel exhaust contains both very small particles and 40 chemicals that are classified as "hazardous air pollutants" under the Clean Air Act. Idling buses tend to accumulate diesel exhaust, which may be retained during the ride depending upon bus ventilation rates. It is more efficient to turn off most warmed-up vehicles than to idle for more than 30 seconds. A single vehicle dropping off and picking up kids at one school puts three pounds of pollution into the air per month. Carbon monoxide reduces the ability of blood to bring oxygen to body cells and tissues. Asthma is reaching epidemic proportions in Washington. More than half a million Washington residents have been diagnosed with asthma, including one out of every 10 children in the state. Children's asthma symptoms increase as a result of car exhaust. Asthma is the most common chronic illness in children and the cause of most school absences. Exposure to vehicle exhaust increases the risk of death from heart and lung disease and lung cancer.