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Vol. 10, No. 5  May 4, 2009
GREEN STAR E-News
Recognizing Alaska organizations committed to environmental responsibility.
In This Issue
Shining Stars
Bike To Work Anchorage!
Overcoming Bike Commuting Excuses
Anchorage Bike Plan
Particulate Matter
Quick Links
Thank You to our Sponsors

Visit Our Sponsor List
This Month's
Hot Link

American Lung Association Outdoor Air Quality

This site provides information about the different types of common outdoor air pollutants, their sources, and what can be done to avoid them or reduce their production.  A great resource!
Green Star Staff

Jeanne Carlson
Interim Executive Director

Andrew Cutting
Member Relations Coordinator

Lilly Capell
Air Quality Program Assistant

Miguel Ramos
Air Quality Intern


Join Our Mailing List
A Special Air Quality Issue for Spring!
And a new look for E-News.  Let us know what you think.
Shining Stars
Welcome to our newest Green Star members

  • Kayak Adventures Worldwide
Reminders

Bike To Work Anchorage!

BTWD logo w date Come ride with us on Friday, May 15, for Anchorage's 5th Annual Bike to Work Day!  Help us reach our goal of 1000 riders by signing up your team at www.muni.org/biketowork.  Don't have a workplace team?  Be a captain to help form a team or be a team of one.  Teams registered by May 6 will be entered in a drawing to win Bike to Work Day t-shirts.

If you are new to biking or you and your bike are a little rusty, biking to work can be intimidating. Planning and practicing your route can help you become a more confident rider.  Bike trail maps are available for download at www.muni.org/biketowork.  

Use the buddy system or find a friend to ride with.  It will get easier and you can now follow Bike to Work Anchorage on Twitter! Get updates on trail conditions, teams, prizes and more. If you don't already have a twitter account, go to www.twitter.com and sign up. Find us at www.twitter.com/biketoworkANC.  

Free Bike Inspections
Pre- Bike to Work Day bike inspections are being offered on Monday, May 11, 12 - 3pm and Tuesday, May 12, 3 - 6pm at REI. At these free bike checks, REI will pump up the tires, oil the chain and, to keep it shifting smoothly, do some minor adjustments to the derailleur.

Overcoming Bike Commuting Excuses

If you have a bike-commuting excuse, hurdle, or challenge, we have a way you can overcome it.   Pass these along to others in your office who may not have made the commitment yet to try bike commuting.  It may be easier than you think.  Have you ever used one of these excuses as a reason not to bike to work? Here are your answers!
  •    I'm out of shape.
  •    It takes too long.
  •    It's too far.
  •    There's no bike parking.
  •    My bike is beat up.
  •    There are no showers.
  •    I have to dress up.
  •    It's raining.
  •    The roads aren't safe.
Anchorage Bike Plan
Bicycles as a Mode of Transportation

If you bike anywhere in Anchorage or would like to do so but don't because you don't believe it is safe, this is the time to make your voice heard.  The comment period for Anchorage's Draft Bike Plan has been extended until May 7.  

With about one pound of CO2 released per one mile of automobile travel, automobiles are responsible for about 20% of the U.S.'s CO2 emissions.  Support of increased bicycle infrastructure and iBTWD logo w datencreased diversion of vehicle miles to active transportation will improve air quality and water quality, as well as reduce obesity rates, diabetes, many cancers and cardiovascular diseases.

Read more...
Particulate Matter
No Laughing Matter in Spring

Excerpted from "Air Quality in Anchorage: A Summary of Air Monitoring Data and Trends," prepared by the Environmental Quality Program of the Municipal Department of Health and Human Services, 2005.  To view the complete report, visit www.greenstarinc.org/airquality.php.

We've all witnessed that haze in the air at the end of break-up when the roads start to dry up and the tires start to kick up dust.  Even simple tasks like raking our yards and cleaning driveways and sidewalks can create clouds of dust.

These dust clouds of particulate matter are not just visually unappealing; they can be downright dangerous for some Anchorage residents. Airborne particulate matter is composed of dust, ash, soot, smoke or liquid droplets emitted into the air by industrial sources and fires, construction activities, paved and unpaved roads, and from natural sources like volcanoes, and wind blown dust.

Smaller size particulate matter is most likely to cause adverse health effects. In 1987, the U.S. EPA established a particulate standard for particles with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 microns. These particles, called PM10, can be inhaled into the thoracic or lower regions of the respiratory tract where they can do the most harm.

Read more...

Here are a few ways you can help to keep dust down:
  • Slow down! Fast moving vehicles stir up dust. Studies show PM10 emissions go up with vehicle speed. A reduction in speed from 40 mph to 20 mph reduces dust emissions by 65%.  So take it easy on dirt roads or heavily graveled roads.
  • Don't drive. Reducing the numbers of vehicles using the roads can reduce dust too.  Consider alternate means of transportation, especially during prime dust times of year.
  • If your workplace has a parking lot, be sure it is cleaned, using wet-sweeping methods, early in the season and often enough to ensure it is free of dust and gravel for the summer.
Access past issues of E-News, sorted by topic or date. Please send comments, questions, or suggestions for future E-News topics to us at [email protected].  Forward this newsletter freely.  Send us any email addresses you wish us to add to our mailing list. Thank you!