Turn engines off in the school drop-off and pick-up line for kids’ health

Here’s a back-to-school quiz you can ace: What’s one easy way you can have a surprisingly big effect on kids’ health in the school pick-up line?

Answer: Just shut off your car when you’re waiting to pick up the kids after school!

Vehicle exhaust in that line of cars at school (or anywhere) can have serious consequences on kids’ health. Because children breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults, they get a higher dose of pollutants when they come in contact with vehicle exhaust. Childhood exposure to the air pollutants from idling cars is associated with asthma, impaired lung function and development, increased allergies, and even impaired reproductive health. Exposure to idling pollutants can also lead to cancer and cardiovascular diseases later in life.

When you’re idling a gas-powered car, you might think it’s not burning much fuel, so it’s not a big deal. But idling a car for just one minute can fill 150 balloons with emissions that include carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, PM 2.5, benzene and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs)! Even on a good day, you’re probably in the school pick-up line for more than one minute, and you’re not the only car: All of those idling vehicles create a microclimate of unhealthy air in your school pick-up line.

Idling your car is also expensive! Did you know that turning off your vehicle’s ignition for just 5 minutes can save more than $150 per year in fuel and wear-and-tear costs? With gas prices so high, every little bit helps. Idling is also bad for your vehicle: While idling, a car’s engine might not reach its optimal operating temperature. This leads to incomplete fuel combustion, which in turn can cause fuel residue to build up on engine components and contaminate the engine’s oil.

Fortunately, there are some easy things caregivers can do so kids can breathe easier in the school drop-off and pick-up zone:

• Turn the car off while waiting if you can. On hot days, roll the windows down.
• If you live close enough, walk, bike, or scoot to and from school. 
• Upgrade to an EV, plug-in hybrid, or hybrid, so your idling car doesn’t produce harmful emissions. Learn more about Colorado’s EV tax credits from the Colorado Energy Office.
• Learn more about becoming an Idle-Free School. Schools can request free “No Idling” signs and complete activities toward becoming an Idle-Free School. Get the toolkit, see what other schools have done to protect kids’ health, and learn more about the Engines Off at Schools program at EnginesOff.org/schools.

With these simple steps, you can make sure your kids are breathing cleaner air every day for the entire school year.

And if you want to share the word, Scout the Pika has a short and sweet message!