Spare the Air, Thursday, May 15!
May 15 is a Spare the Air Day in the Bay Area.

There will be NO free transit.


Spare the Air Program
The Spare the Air Program was established by the
Bay Area Air Quality Management District to educate people about air pollution, and to encourage them to change their behavior to prevent it.

During the summer months ground-level ozone is the pollutant of concern. Ozone is formed when pollutants combine on hot summer days, and it accumulates when there is little wind.

In order to protect public health, the Air District issues Spare the Air advisories on days when air quality is forecast to be unhealthy due to high ozone levels. People who are especially sensitive to pollution are advised to limit their time outdoors, particularly in the afternoon hours. These advisories are posted on our web site, recorded on our 1 (800) HELP AIR forecast phone line, announced in local newspapers, and broadcast on local TV and radio stations.

On Spare the Air Days, we ask Bay Area residents to reduce pollution by making clean air choices every day. These simple actions include driving less, taking public transportation, trip-linking, walking, biking, choosing non-gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment, and avoiding polluting household products.

On this site you will find answers to frequently asked questions about air pollution, descriptions of its health effects, information about how various communities and employers are working to prevent pollution, clean air tips, and a variety of other educational resources.

In addition, the air quality forecast allows you to keep track of air quality conditions in your region of the Bay Area.