Press Release

SAINT LOUIS REGIONAL CLEAN AIR PARTNERSHIP SEEKS NEW PARTNERS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Businesses, Schools and Nonprofit Organizations Invited to Join Clean Air Efforts

ST. LOUIS, MO - May 1, 2006 . . . The St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership is interested in teaming up with area organizations to help turn around the disturbing trend in local air quality and make a difference in the lives of area residents, particularly asthmatics, children and older adults who are dangerously susceptible to the effects of air pollution.

Businesses, schools and nonprofit organizations are encouraged to work with the Partnership to implement workplace policies that help to raise awareness and reduce emissions. Joining the Partnership is as easy as appointing an existing employee who can serve as a Clean Air Coordinator (CAC) - a liaison to the Partnership, which provides resources and support to help guide each organization’s efforts. Many CAC’s serve a dual role as the Employee Transportation Coordinator (ETC) for their workplace, working closely with RideFinders, the regional ridesharing agency, and playing a vital role in helping fellow employees understand the relationship between their commuting choices and our region’s air quality.

Clean Air Partnership Seeks New Partners

One of the most effective ways businesses can help is also the easiest. Informing fellow employees about air quality is a no-cost way to improve regional air quality as participants help to empower people with the information they need to make a difference.

A great way to kick off a new program is by hosting a Clean Air Fair to educate employees on the issues surrounding our air quality and the things they can do to clear the air, including sharing the ride. The Partnership provides a variety of tools that make it easy for partners to promote the clean air message throughout an organization, from daily e-mails with the air quality forecast to posters and brochures, newsletter articles and more. Other ideas for spreading the word include:

Schedule a Clean Air Day at your office, and let employees celebrate with a casual day and encourage them to brown bag or walk to lunch to reduce midday car trips.

Turn your next health fair into an opportunity for employees to learn more about the health effects of air pollution and what they can do to protect themselves and their loved ones.

Encourage employees to visit The Partnership’s website for a wealth of information about our region’s air quality and tips on the many steps they can take at home, at work and on the road to help improve the quality of the air we breathe.

The Partnership also can help steer participants toward resources to help them make operational adjustments that can help to clean the air. Monitoring the times of day and products used in fleet operations and groundskeeping, creating efficiency through construction and maintenance of facilities, using environmentally friendly office products and reducing energy use can add up to make a big impact on our community.

Interested organizations should contact Susannah Fuchs at (314) 645-5505 ext. 1007 or sfuchs@lungmo.org.

The St. Louis Regional Clean Air Partnership was formed in 1995, led by the American Lung Association of Missouri, St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association, East-West Gateway Council of Governments, Washington University and others, to increase awareness of regional air quality issues and to encourage activities to reduce air pollution emissions. To learn more about the Partnership call the American Lung Association of Missouri at 1-800-LUNG-USA or visit http://www.cleanair-stlouis.com.

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for more information, contact:

Shelene Scarborough or Julie Hauser
The Hauser Group, Inc.
(314) 436-9090
(314) 629-3887

-or-

Susannah Fuchs
American Lung Association
(314) 645-5505
(314) 518-3886

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