|
On May 10, Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) hosted a Commuter and Health Fair, open to all the employers and employees located at the Montgomery Park Office Complex. The fair coincided with the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area’s Clean Commute Month activities held during May. These activities are intended to show commuters the link between commuter habits and the region’s air quality. A significant portion of our summertime air pollution comes from the millions of vehicles that travel on our roadways each day. Clean Commute Month promotes alternate commuting practices such as carpooling, public transit, teleworking, and even bicycling and walking for shorter commutes.
“We’re delighted to host this important event,” said MDE Secretary Kendl P. Philbrick. “This fair is part of Maryland’s Clean Commute Month activities, focusing on alternate commuting practices and their effect on air quality, as well as promoting a healthy lifestyle.”
A diverse group of presenters and organizations participated in the Montgomery Park fair. Ryan Robertson represented Flexcar, a car-share business. Buddy Alves, of the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), talked about MTA’s updated public transit routes, using public transit to save on driving costs, and distributed transit maps and guides. Local businesswoman, Penny Troutner of Light Street Cycles, brought bikes for attendees to try out and bike accessories.
Freebies for Pollutant-Free Air!
The highlight of the day was the free car care clinic. A drawing entitled 20 Montgomery Park commuters to a free, on-site vehicle safety and maintenance inspection by certified technicians from local automotive shops. Driving a well-maintained car increase fuel efficiency and reduces tailpipe emissions.
There was an assortment of “alternative” vehicles also on display including the electric four-passenger GEM, with a top speed of 35 mph, and the General Motors HydroGen3, a five-passenger minivan that replaces the traditional gasoline internal combustion engine with a fuel cell stack, electric drive system and hydrogen storage tank.
Breathmobile
Another visitor to Montgomery Park was University of Maryland Hospital’s Dr. Mary Bollinger and the hospital’s Breathmobile. The Breathmobile is a free mobile preventive asthma care program that serves children at schools in Baltimore City.
On the health side, a panel with Kasey Toivola of Montgomery Park Health Club and Carol Miller, a registered dietician, talked about the health benefits of leaving our cars home and increasing our activity levels.
“There are several health problems that can be prevented by increasing our activity level,” says Ms. Toivola. “Just walking every day for short trips, instead of driving, can help control weight and help prevent illnesses like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.”
Forecasting to Protect Public Health
Also participating on this panel was Michael Woodman, a meteorologist with MDE’s Air and Radiation Management Administration. Mr. Woodman uses weather data combined with air emissions data to make air quality forecasts and issue health alerts when air quality is expected to be unhealthy.
“The forecasts can help people plan their activities and reduce their exposure to unhealthy air,” explained Mr. Woodman. “When the color-coded forecast is green, enjoy the outdoors. When the color-coded forecast is red, it may be a good idea to limit outdoor activities.”
MDE’s Air Quality forecasts can be found at www.Air-Watch.net or by calling MDE’s Air Quality Hotline at 410-537-3247.
|
