Today marks the start of the 2024 Spare The Air Season! The Spare The Air program began 30 years ago with the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, expanding later into a regional effort that includes the Placer County Air Quality Control District, El Dorado County Air Quality Management District, Feather River Air Quality Management District and Yolo Solano Air Quality Management District. The program helps inform residents in the Sacramento region about air pollution, its health impacts, and ways they can help improve local air quality.

Vehicle emissions are still the leading cause of ground-level ozone (smog) air pollution, which impacts both the environment and your health. Exposure to air pollution can lead to long-term health impacts, such as:

• Asthma
• Lung damage
• Lowered immune response
• Shortened lifespan

Individuals in sensitive groups are more likely to be affected, including:

• Children under age 14
• Adults ages 65+
• Pregnant women
• Outdoor workers
• Athletes who train vigorously outdoors
• People with pulmonary or respiratory diseases, including congestive heart failure and asthma

Driving less, using public transit, and utilizing alternative forms of transportation such as riding a bike or a scooter, are the simplest ways to reduce air pollution caused by vehicle emissions.

When the Air Quality Index (AQI) is forecast to reach 126 or higher for ground-level ozone, a Spare The Air alert is issued and residents are encouraged to take action by:

• Reducing driving (or driving a zero-emission vehicle)
• Avoiding unnecessary prolonged outdoor exposure
• Combining trips
• Carpooling
• Taking public transportation

Everyone is encouraged to check the AQI forecast, which can be found on the campaign’s new website, and posted daily on Facebook and X.