Arlington Mayor Dr. Robert Cluck

August 24, 2007
Let’s Do Our Share for Cleaner Air

With educational campaigns and increasing public awareness, the North Texas region is making some good progress in helping to clean up the air. But it’s too soon for us to breathe easy.

Asthma attacks, bronchitis and other health related illnesses are made worse by pollution - even for exceptionally healthy people.

High levels of air pollution mixed with sunlight during hot days creates a ground-level ozone of airborne pollutants that can make the air unhealthy to breathe.
We should be particularly mindful of this during the usual hot days of August and September and as our students head back to school this fall.

Students will most likely be greeted with Code Orange days which mean it’s best to limit outdoor activity and avoid heat exhaustion at the hottest part of the day.

It’s important that we continue to educate ourselves about the value of clean air. There is absolutely no question that air pollution is a public health hazard which can lead to premature death, severe chronic and often times permanent health problems, particularly in babies and young adults.

This is why the City of Arlington is partnering with the Parks at Arlington Mall this month to launch a public education campaign about clean air.

Throughout the mall, banners and environmental messages are capturing the attention of the more than 3 million visitors expected to shop at the mall during the months of August and September.
Our goal is to increase awareness of the many actions we can take to help reduce pollution. Others are doing their part as well.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will expand its AirCheck Texas Repair and Replacement Assistance Program in December. This program allows the owners of older vehicles to receive vouchers up to $3,500 toward the purchase of a new or no more than three-year old qualifying vehicle from participating auto dealers.

Learn more about this program at www.tceq.state.tx.us/agency/vehicle_replace.html
Together, we can do our share for cleaner air. Together, we can mitigate the public health hazards that pollution causes so that we all breathe easier. Learn more at www.arlingtontx.gov/cleanair.
 

Robert Cluck, MD
Mayor
City of Arlington