Pledge With Me To Go Idle Free
Wellesley Public Schools, Health Department, Climate Action Committee, Natural Resources Commission and Police Department as well as Wellesley Green Schools and Sustainable Wellesley invite the community to Pledge With Me To Go Idle Free!
It is unhealthy, expensive and illegal.
Unhealthy
Did you know that more than 30% of Wellesley's greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation? Monitoring at schools has shown elevated levels of benzene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and other air toxins during the afternoon hour coinciding with student pick-up. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that these air toxins from idling emissions are known to cause cancer, respiratory effects like asthma and other serious health effects. The US Dept. Of Energy adds that vehicle emissions are more concentrated near the ground, where children breathe. And not only can auto exhaust from idling pollute the air in and around vehicles; it can also enter school buildings through air intakes, doors and windows. This is especially dangerous to children because their developing lungs have a smaller surface area and a higher inhalation rate (can be over 3x that of adults), which means greater exposure and potentially permanent damage to lung function.
Expensive
Idling is also expensive. From passenger cars to heavy-duty trucks, the US Dept. of Energy estimates that more than 6 billion gallons of gasoline and diesel combined are lost to idling every year. Even when gas prices were at $2 per gallon, that wasted fuel translated into more than $11 billion annually. Now, with higher gas prices, this means idling is wasting even more money.
Illegal
Idling can also cost you money in fines. In Wellesley, there is a $15 fine for idling which is modeled after the state's anti-idling fine which can cost up to $100 for the first offense and up to $500 for each subsequent offense.
Please reconsider habits and try something new! Pledge With Me to Go Idle Free!
It is unhealthy, expensive and illegal.
Unhealthy
Did you know that more than 30% of Wellesley's greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation? Monitoring at schools has shown elevated levels of benzene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and other air toxins during the afternoon hour coinciding with student pick-up. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that these air toxins from idling emissions are known to cause cancer, respiratory effects like asthma and other serious health effects. The US Dept. Of Energy adds that vehicle emissions are more concentrated near the ground, where children breathe. And not only can auto exhaust from idling pollute the air in and around vehicles; it can also enter school buildings through air intakes, doors and windows. This is especially dangerous to children because their developing lungs have a smaller surface area and a higher inhalation rate (can be over 3x that of adults), which means greater exposure and potentially permanent damage to lung function.
Expensive
Idling is also expensive. From passenger cars to heavy-duty trucks, the US Dept. of Energy estimates that more than 6 billion gallons of gasoline and diesel combined are lost to idling every year. Even when gas prices were at $2 per gallon, that wasted fuel translated into more than $11 billion annually. Now, with higher gas prices, this means idling is wasting even more money.
Illegal
Idling can also cost you money in fines. In Wellesley, there is a $15 fine for idling which is modeled after the state's anti-idling fine which can cost up to $100 for the first offense and up to $500 for each subsequent offense.
Please reconsider habits and try something new! Pledge With Me to Go Idle Free!
