by Peter Eichenberger, Raleigh, NC, Idle Patrol

EMISSIONS VIOLATION - Vehicle has been cited for violating atmosphere and laws of common sense.

1. Air Pollution

Gasoline exhaust contains soot, benzene, xylene, toluene and many other additive, CO and other petrochemical substances that can lead to emphysema, reduced breathing ability, asthma and cancer, especially iin children. Scientists say that 10 percent of all lung cancers were caused by fossil fuel combustion such as that found in vehicle exhaust.

2. Expense

Idling wastes fuel. Idling for 10 minutes burns around 0.025 to 0.040 gallons of gasoline. Idling for only 10 minutes/day uses an average of 26 gallons of gas a year.

Idling can damage engines by creating a fuel-rich situation that leads to reduced viscosity and lubricity of oil. Residual acids left by the process of incomplete combustion contaminate the oil and begin to slowly erode the internals, the cylinder walls, bearings, cams and lifters, piston rings and skirts, valves and valve guides.

3. Risk to self and others

If someone steals your vehicle while you have left it idling, you could be held responsible in Civil Courts for any and all damages, injuries or deaths resulting from negligence.

If you sit in your car while you are idling for any reason, you are emitting unnecessary pollution into the environment which puts you and others at risk for just about everything.

The penalty for idling is $100. Send your payment to Sierra Club 85 Second Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105.