For immediate release
November 17, 2005

Vehicles at Hawthorne Alternative Bilingual School Are Idle-Free to Help Clean the Air

TORONTO – To help clean the air, parents and guardians picking up and dropping off children at schools are being asked to turn off their engines when stopped or parked for more than 10 seconds, announced Eva Ligeti, Executive Director of the Clean Air Partnership.

Air pollution from vehicles gives rise to reduced lung function, wheezing and coughing, asthma attacks, emergency room visits, lung cancer, high blood pressure and reduced life expectancy. Children are particularly vulnerable to air pollution because they breathe faster than adults and spend more time outdoors in strenuous activities.

“I’m very excited to work with schools on an issue where everyone will benefit,” said Ligeti, “Everyone recognizes the tremendous waste from vehicle idling and health benefits of improving our air quality”

Throughout November, The Clean Air Partnership will be visiting schools across Toronto to share the Idle-Free message.

On Thursday, November 17th, 2005 between 3:25 – 3:45 p.m., Hawthorne Alternative Bilingual School will have volunteers out in the drop-off zones and parking area to alert all drivers of the negative effect an idling vehicle has on our air quality, our quality of life and our pocket books.

The Clean Air Partnership is sending drivers a simple message:
1. Reduce warm-up idling, just turn it on and go.
2. Turn off the engine when stopping for more than 10 seconds, except in traffic.

Contact:
Eva Ligeti
Clean Air Partnership

For more information visit www.cleanairpartnership.org

The Clean Air Partnership is a charitable organization that works in partnership to promote and coordinate improvements to local air quality for healthier communities in the Greater Toronto Area. Our sponsors and partners for this event include Toronto Atmospheric Fund, Toronto Community Foundation, One-Tonne Toronto, Don Valley West One-Tonne Challenge and Eneract.