FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
02-svor2

LOVE IS IN THE AIR, BUT SO IS AIR POLLUTION 

(RENO, Nev.) – Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, but love is not the only thing in the air.  Vehicles emitting visible exhaust release three pollutants, resulting in poor air quality for the region.  The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) provides drivers with information on the pollutants and solutions to keep the Truckee Meadows smog free. 

Smoking vehicles emit: hydrocarbons, which react with nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight and hot temperatures forming ground-level ozone; nitrogen oxide which contributes to the formation of ozone and acid rain; and carbon monoxide that reduces the flow of oxygen in the bloodstream and can impair mental alertness and vision.  Studies have reported that in urban areas, as much as 90 percent of carbon monoxide in the air is a result of motor vehicles.

To help prevent air pollution caused by vehicles emitting visible exhaust, drivers can participate in the following:

·        Keep vehicles in good running condition: poorly maintained vehicles emit as much as 10 times the emissions as well-maintained vehicles

·      Travel at moderate steady speeds and reduce idling time: idling more than half a minute burns more gas than it takes to restart the engine.

·      Use clean fuels when available: including reformulated gasoline, oxygenated gasoline and alternative fuels.

Residents of the Truckee Meadows can also help to improve the region’s air quality by reporting smoking vehicles by calling 686-SMOG.  Callers should be prepared to provide the license plate number of the smoking vehicle, the approximate time the vehicle was spotted and the location of the vehicle.  All information is confidential. 

The smoking vehicle program started in 1996, resulting in more than 32,000 calls over the last five years to the DMV.  The program has helped to get more than 5,000 smoking vehicles cleaned up resulting in cleaner air for the region. 

For more information on the smoking vehicle program call 1-877-DMV-STAT (1-877-368-7828) or access http://www.dmvnv.com/emission.htm.

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