In addition to the fire safety issues we all need to be mindful of this 4th of July, please read this press release from the Pima County Department of Environmental Quality. Beth makes some really great points on ways to help the planet and your purse or wallet! Be the change and get some too!
NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Beth Gorman (520) 243-7446 (o) (520)603-0358 (c)
Don’t use lighter fluid at your July 4 barbecue
Pima County, Ariz. (June 28) – Try to barbecue without the lighter fluid over the July 4 holiday weekend and you’ll reduce the amount of volatile organic
compounds released into the air. Mixed with sunshine and other pollutants, those chemicals add to ground-level ozone.
If you plan to use charcoal, the Pima County Department of Environmental Quality recommends using a charcoal chimney and crumpled paper instead of lighter fluid – which costs about $4 a can – to light your barbecue fire.
A charcoal chimney costs about $15 and lasts for years. It’s a simple piece of pipe with a handle and a grate in the bottom that holds the charcoal. Once you light the paper and start the fire, the coals will be ready for grilling in about 15 minutes.
Grilling with propane gas, natural gas or solar energy also reduces air pollution.
The Tucson area is close to exceeding the federal government’s standard for ground-level ozone. Once ozone measures above the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s ground-level ozone standard, it can cause health problems for some people. Elevated levels of ground-level ozone can affect children, the elderly and people with lung or heart disease, including asthma and congestive heart failure.
Pima County also suggests using plates, napkins, and forks and
knives that can be used again, to help save natural resources by reducing
waste.
And, it’s cheaper to use a paste made of baking soda and water, and a wire brush, to clean your barbecue grill. It costs pennies and is completely non-toxic. Aerosol oven cleaners give off toxic fumes.
Sounds like some great tips for green talk radio!