What's up, Forsyth?

What's up, Forsyth?! As we enter the hottest month of the year here in North Carolina, one of the most important things we can do to reduce ozone pollution is to turn off our engines. That's because ground-level ozone needs heat and sunlight to form . Recently, Forsyth County Property Management has worked with the Office of Environmental Assistance and Protection (EAP) to install several “Breathe Better, Save Money” idling reduction signs as a part of a Triad Air Awareness initiative. While these signs serve as reminders at a few county-owned lots and decks, it’s important that we eliminate unnecessary engine idling wherever we are. Idling not only contributes to air pollution in Forsyth County; it also wastes money. The simple act of turning off an engine can help protect everyone’s health, and it saves on fuel and engine maintenance costs. We have summarized the major benefits of idling reduction below: Idling pollutes our air and threatens our health. Cars produce mo...

 The Impact of July 4th Celebrations on Our Air What’s up, Forsyth?! As we look forward to Fourth of July celebrations this week, it’s important to remember that many of the activities associated with the holiday, including fireworks and backyard barbecues,  can have a negative impact on our air quality and human health . "Happy 4th of July! The American Flag in Fireworks" by Beverly & Pack is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0. Fireworks produce large amounts of both coarse and fine particulate matter, which can damage lung tissue. Fine particles (PM2.5 or soot) are especially harmful because they are small enough to enter the bloodstream, increasing the risk of heart attacks and arrhythmias, strokes, and the development of certain mental health and cognitive disorders. Fireworks also contain nitrogen and sulfur for color and special effects, and when these can combine with oxygen, they can form nitric and sulfuric acids. Not only are these reactive compounds unhealthy t...