Clean Air Force of Central Texas

🚘 Myth-Buster Monday ❌ Myth: “It’s better to leave the engine running than turn it off and on again.” ✅ Fact: Idling for more than 10 seconds uses more gas and emits more pollution than restarting. 💸 Save fuel. 💨 Cut emissions. 🧠 Just turn it off. Tag someone who needs to hear this! #NoIdling #IdleFreeTexas #CleanAirForce #MythBusterMonday

📚 School Is Around the Corner — Let’s Make Sure the Air Is Safe to Breathe! 🌬️ As students head back to class, there’s no better time to bring clean air education to your school. Through our Be Air Smart program, the Clean Air Force is proud to offer real-time air quality sensors and teaching guides to schools across Central Texas. 🏫 We’d be delighted to place a sensor at your local school! These PurpleAir PM2.5 sensors are installed right on campus. The sensors are visible on a public map, showing live conditions at your school and beyond — empowering students to become informed, data-savvy environmental stewards. 📊🌎 👧🧠 Why it matters: If children understand the role we play in maintaining clean air, they’ll grow up to be strong advocates and stewards of our environment. This program turns classrooms into real-world science labs and empowers kids to take action. 🎓 Program highlights: ✅ Live air quality data from your campus ✅ Free teaching guide aligned with curriculum ✅ Student-led activities and research projects ✅ Regional sensor network for broader learning 📦 Interested? 📬 Have questions or want to request a sensor? Contact Jim Stephens, Executive Director: 📧 jstephens@cleanairforce.org Let’s start the school year with a breath of fresh air — and an education that lasts a lifetime! #BackToSchool #BeAirSmart #CleanAirForKids #PurpleAir #AirQualityEducation #CleanAirforce

🧠 Myth-Buster Monday ❌ Myth: “Air pollution only harms people with asthma.” ✅ Fact: Dirty air affects all of us — especially kids, seniors, pregnant people, and those with heart or lung issues. Even healthy adults can feel the impact: headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath. 👉 Clean air is everyone’s issue — and we can all be part of the solution. #MythBusterMonday #CleanAirForce #AirPollutionTruth

🌬️ Fun Fact Friday 🔋 Electric vehicles (EVs) produce zero tailpipe emissions! Unlike gas-powered cars, EVs don’t emit harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides or particulate matter while driving. That means cleaner air for everyone—especially in urban areas where traffic pollution is a major health concern. 🚗⚡ 💡 Bonus: Even when accounting for electricity generation, EVs still have a smaller carbon footprint over their lifetime compared to traditional vehicles. Let’s drive toward a cleaner future—one electric mile at a time. 🌱 #FactFriday #ElectricVehicles #CleanAirForce

🌬️ Fun Fact Friday 🔋 Electric vehicles (EVs) produce zero tailpipe emissions! Unlike gas-powered cars, EVs don’t emit harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides or particulate matter while driving. That means cleaner air for everyone—especially in urban areas where traffic pollution is a major health concern. 🚗⚡ 💡 Bonus: Even when accounting for electricity generation, EVs still have a smaller carbon footprint over their lifetime compared to traditional vehicles. Let’s drive toward a cleaner future—one electric mile at a time. 🌱 #FunFactFriday #ElectricVehicles #CleanAirForce #SustainableTransport #EVFacts

👕 Eco-Wise Wednesday ♻️ Before tossing out those old clothes, think again! Donating gently used clothing not only helps those in need—it also reduces landfill waste and the environmental impact of textile production. 🌎 👚 Why it matters: The fashion industry is one of the largest polluters globally Clothes in landfills release harmful greenhouse gases Donating extends the life of garments and supports your community ✨ Give your clothes a second life and make a difference—one shirt at a time. #EcoWiseWednesday #DonateClothes #SustainableFashion #CleanAirForce #ReduceReuseRecycle

🌬️ July Air Quality Alert: Stay Safe and Informed July often brings elevated levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air due to two major seasonal factors: Saharan Dust: Large dust plumes from the Sahara Desert can travel across the Atlantic and reach North America. While they can create beautiful sunsets, they also carry fine particles that reduce air quality and may irritate the lungs. Firework Smoke: Fireworks, especially around Independence Day, release smoke and chemicals that can linger in the air, leading to short-term spikes in pollution levels. If you're sensitive to air pollution—such as individuals with asthma, heart or lung conditions, or allergies—it's important to take precautions: ✅ Check the Air Quality Index (AQI) daily to stay informed about current conditions. 🚫 Avoid prolonged outdoor activities when the AQI is in the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” range or worse. 🏠 Stay indoors with filtered air and keep windows closed on high-pollution days. 😷 Consider wearing a mask (like an N95) if you need to be outside when air quality is poor. By staying aware of air quality conditions and adjusting your activities accordingly, you can protect your health and enjoy a safer summer. #Factfriday #Cleanairforce

🌿 Eco-Wise Wednesday: Why Standard Shipping Matters 🌍 Did you know that choosing standard shipping instead of expedited options can significantly reduce your carbon footprint? When you select one-day or express shipping, your package often travels by air—one of the most carbon-intensive forms of transportation. In contrast, standard shipping typically uses ground transportation, which is far more efficient and environmentally friendly. 📦 Why it matters: Airplanes emit up to 5 times more CO₂ per package than trucks. Slower shipping allows companies to consolidate deliveries, reducing the number of trips and fuel used. It supports a more sustainable supply chain, helping reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. 🌱 What you can do: Next time you shop online, opt for the slowest shipping option. Encourage friends and family to do the same. Support retailers that offer eco-conscious delivery choices. Let’s make standard shipping the new standard—for cleaner air, a healthier planet, and a more sustainable future. #EcoWiseWednesday #SustainableLiving #CleanAirForce #GreenChoices #CarbonFootprint

🌞 Summer is here—and so is outdoor playtime! But did you know that children are especially vulnerable to air pollution? Because they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults, and their lungs are still developing, kids are more affected by poor air quality. Add in all that extra time spent outdoors during summer, and their risk increases. Clean air isn’t just about the environment—it’s about protecting our kids’ health. Let’s keep the air safe for their growing lungs. 💨💙 📚 Source: American Lung Association #CleanAirForKids #AirQualityAwareness #HealthyLungs #SummerSafety #FunFactFriday #EnvironmentalHealth

Tomorrow is #WorldPopulationDay 🌎 As our global population grows, so does the need for cleaner air and smarter choices. Every action—how we commute, what we consume, how we conserve—shapes the air we breathe. Let’s lead the way in Central Texas by choosing cleaner, greener habits today. 💨 A healthier planet starts with us. #CleanAirForce #PopulationAndPlanet #AirQualityAwareness