Idling

What is idling?

Girl Scout Troop with Idle-Free Zone sign
Girl Scout Troop #164 poses with an "Idle-Free Zone" sign (in background).

"Idling" means running your engine when your car isn't moving. You've probably idled your car while waiting for someone, at drive-through windows or to "warm up" your car. But more often than not, idling is not neccessary, and it can have negative affects on the environment — and your health.

Why shouldn't I idle?

Vehicle emissions are a major contributor to air pollution. Studies have linked various types of vehicle emissions to asthma symptoms, cardiopulmonary disease, lung cancer and other serious health problems.

In warm weather, tailpipe emissions contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, a pollutant that can cause eye, nose and throat irritation and, in higher concentrations, asthma, bronchitis, increased susceptibility to respiratory infections, and decreased lung function.

Children are even more vulnerable to air pollution than adults, so idling is more likely to negatively effect their health.

What can I do?

  1. Turn off your engine when you're not moving and encourage your friends and family to do the same.
  2. Promote an anti-idling policy at your child's school or at schools in your area. The "Idle-Free Zone" campaign started with Overland Trail Elementary School Girl Scout Troop #164 and is spreading across Greater Kansas City as a result of its efforts. The Clean Buses | Healthy Kids program now provides permanent "Idle-Free Zone" signs (above) free of charge to any school in the metro area (schools must provide the means to display the signs and labor for installation). Call 816/474-4240 or e-mail the AirQ Program to learn more.
  3. Encourage your local school district to participate in the Clean Buses | Healthy Kids program or thank your district for participating. (Is my school district participating?)

Resources