The Great Race for Clean Air

With summer in full swing, the sun is inviting people outdoors to enjoy some fresh air. To help keep the air fresh, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District is challenging Bay Area employees to participate in the Great Race for Clean Air. In this friendly competition, employees are encouraged to use commute alternatives such as carpooling, vanpooling, biking, walking or riding transit to get to work. Even skateboarding and telecommuting count!

It is especially important to adopt a more air-friendly commute because air pollution can have both minor and serious health effects; it can irritate your eyes, nose, and throat, cause shortness of breath, aggravate asthma and other respiratory conditions, and even affect your heart and cardiovascular system. By participating in the Great Race for Clean Air, employees can help protect their health while they save time, money and the stress of driving in traffic to work.

Some notable organizations like Kaiser Permanente, UCSF, Safeway, Virgin Airlines and AMC Entertainment have already signed up to participate in this year's race.

Want to join? Go to http://www.sparetheair.org by July 22 to register your company. You can also visit the event website at http://www.greatraceforcleanair.com. The Great Race for Clean Air runs from August 1 until September 30.

Ready, set, go!