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N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources

NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Air Quality - Idle Reduction

Air Quality

What's the Problem?

  • Why should you care about air pollution?  Air pollution can harm everyone's health and damage the environment. Air pollution can lead to breathing problems such as asthma and emphysema. Learn more here ...

Air Quality Forecast

  • See the future.  Know the air pollution levels the day before they happen. 
  • Learn more here ...

Protect Your Health

  • Learn to use the air quality color code and forecasts to help protect you and your family.
  • Learn more here ...

Take Action! 

  • Ozone and particle pollution, the two biggest air quality concerns in North Carolina, come from many of the same sources, primarily motor vehicles and industry.
  • Learn more here ...

Teachers & Students

  • Teachers! Let us help you teach a class, add to your Professional Teaching Standards portfolio, and meet all the new core and essesial standards.  
  • Learn more here ...

FAQ

Turn Off Your Engine

  • Unnecessary idling wastes fuel and pollutes the air.  Click the sign to learn more.

Employers & Resources

 

 

IDLE REDUCTION  

Learn how you get get FREE idle reduction signs at your school, organization, or company. Email us at air.awareness@ncdenr.gov! 

 

What is idling?
An idling vehicle is one whose engine is running when it is parked or not in motion. Remember, when your car is idling, it is still polluting our air.
Why is idling harmful?
Vehicle emissions are one of the biggest contributors toward poor air quality in North Carolina. Idling wastes money and natural resources. It can damage vehicles, pollute the air, and harm our health. Air pollution can cause asthma and other respiratory problems.
A few facts about idling
Drivers are the key to reducing harmful car emissions. By simply turning off your vehicle while idling (when not in traffic), you can help reduce air pollution. Thanks for the help!
FAQs
What pollutants come out of the tail pipe when I idle? How much carbon dioxide do I produce by idling? Should I drive through or walk into a fast food restaurant. Will I get a ticket if I idle? More ...
Contact Us
Contact air.awareness@ncdenr.gov for more information or to get involved.
Related Links
Want more information about how you can improve air quality in addition to not idling?

 

 

Idling rule for heavy-duty vehicles
The N.C. Environmental Management Commission (EMC) has adopted a rule to reduce idling and consequently improve air quality. (Click here to see brochure on idle reduction for heavy-duty vehicles.) The EMC believes that truck operators can reduce harmful emissions by eliminating unnecessary idling of on-road heavy-duty vehicles while saving money in the long run.
Excessive Idling Complaint Form
Submit this form to file a complaint about suspected cases of unnecessary idling by heavy-duty vehicles. Operators of vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds should not idle their vehicles more than 5 consecutive minutes per hour except for certain cases dealing with safety, health and economic concerns. (See brochure for details.)
"Turn Off Your Engine" campaign
This is a voluntary campaign aimed at protecting people's health and the environment, especially children and people with respiratory problems, by reducing vehicle emissions which are one of the main contributors to air pollution in our region. Learn how you can receive signs for parking lots and information for your organization or school.
 

 

Division of Air Quality LogoN.C. Division of Air Quality • Mailing Address: 1641 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1641 

Physical Address: 217 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27603 • Phone: (919) 707-8400 Fax (919) 707-0718

 
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