PHILADELPHIA
Air Toxics Project
A cooperative effort of the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency
and Philadelphia to reduce air
toxics. Funded by the EPA.
Goals:
=> Develop a better understanding of
the air toxics problem and the
associated health risks
=> Estimate how much health risks are
reduced by expected controls
=> Provide information to the public
about air toxics
=> Promote the reduction of emissions
to both indoor and outdoor air
We are:
• Encouraging owners of diesel
powered vehicles to use cleaner
diesel fuels and emission control
devices
• Reducing air toxic emissions
• Encouraging the use of public
transportation through the
Commuter Choice Program
(http://www.commuterchoice.gov)
City of Philadelphia
Department of Public Health
Air Management Services
321 University Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: (215)685-7585
Website:
http://www.phila.gov/health/units/ams
United States EPA/903-F-03-003
Environmental Protection April 2003
Agency
Air Protection Division Philadelphia, PA 19103
U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency
Region III
Air Protection Division
1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029
Phone: (215)814-2111
Website: http://www.epa.gov/reg3artd
Made from 100% post
consumer pulp
produced in a chlorine
free pulping and
bleaching process.
PHILADELPHIA
Air Toxics Project
A voluntary
initiative to reduce
health and
environmental risk from
air toxics in Philadelphia
and its surrounding
communities
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What Are Air Toxics?
Who Emits Them?
Air toxics are chemicals which can
cause serious health effects in humans.
Many cause cancer, while others cause
respiratory problems, birth defects,
neurological problems, immune system
problems, or other health problems.
=> Air toxics include pollutants like:
• Benzene found in gasoline
• Diesel engine exhaust
• Perchloroethylene from dry cleaners
• Metallic emissions like mercury and
chromium
• Pesticide sprays
• Tobacco smoke
• Polycyclic organic matter emitted
when fossil fuels are burned.
=> Air toxics are a concern in urban
areas where air toxic sources and
people are concentrated in the same
geographic area. Cars, buses,
trucks, and other "mobile sources"
are the most significant source of
air toxics in Philadelphia.
=> Industrial plants such as refineries
and chemical plants, and
commercial services such as dry
cleaners and auto body paint shops
also emit many air toxics.
Y \^J [_J can make a difference.
How You Can Help Reduce
Air Toxics In Philadelphia
Cars, trucks, and other vehicle exhausts contain
many harmful pollutants, including air toxics. To
help reduce air toxics emissions in the City:
• Drive a high fuel mileage/low emissions car
or other vehicle.
• Use public transportation or car pool.
• Bike or walk when taking short trips.
• Avoid idling your vehicle.
• Keep your car tuned-up and proper pressure
in its tires.
• Use manual or electric lawn equipment such
as a reel push mower.
How You Can Reduce Your
Indoor Exposure to Air Toxics
EPA has found that some air toxics are
often found in buildings at higher levels
than in the outdoor air. These air
toxics are released into homes by
some commonly used products. To
avoid exposure to indoor air toxics:
• Don't smoke indoors.
• Carefully follow the label
instructions and have adequate
ventilation when using household
cleaning products and pesticides.
• Store gasoline in containers
designed to prevent evaporation.
• Minimize the use of paint strippers,
adhesive removers, or aerosol
spray paints.
• Minimize the use of a dry cleaner.
Air out clothes that have been dry
cleaned before bringing them into
your home.
• Air out new kitchen cabinets or
furniture made from pressed wood
before placing them in your home.
• Make sure your heating system is
functioning properly and that its
exhaust ducts and chimney are
clean.
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