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Annual Essay Contest

All essays must be typed and submitted paper clipped – please no staples.  Essays should be no more than two (2) pages in length for 3^rd to 5^th graders.  6^th through 12^th grade essays should be no less than two (2) but no more than four (4) 8½ x 11” pages with text on one (1) side only.  The author’s name, address, phone number, school grade and age must be on a separate cover page and essays should not be stapled.  Students may use books, magazines, newspaper/internet articles in their essays, however, all sources must be cited on the cover page.  Essays will be judged on creativity, clarity and serious consideration of environmental issues and their impact on the student’s community. 

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Clean Air Counts Campaign

The Environmental Quality Commission is committed to improving air quality by implementing emission-reducing strategies in the Village. Based on the Commission’s recommendation, the Village Board approved a resolution joining the Clean Air Counts campaign. Clean Air Counts is a northeastern Illinois regional initiative to reduce ozone-causing emissions, thereby improving air quality. Participation in the Clean Air Counts campaign makes the Village eligible for grants to conduct related events and provides public education to residents and businesses about their role in improving air quality. See the related article regarding the low VOC cleaning products. Visit www.cleanaircounts.com to learn more today.

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Many common cleaning products contain hazardous chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), which emit smog-forming chemicals and can be harmful to users. All-purpose cleaners as well as specialty products (such as metal polishes and glass, tile and tub cleaners) pollute indoor air quality and may cause respiratory and eye irritation, particularly for janitorial and other cleaning staffs. Substituting cleaner products for traditional products improves air quality and protects the health and safety of individuals exposed to the chemicals they emit.

VOC emissions from cleaning products occur when propellant and organic solvents evaporate. Released chemicals remain in the air all day. In the Chicago area, 20 tons of VOCs are released into the air from the use of cleaning products each day. It is estimated that for every 100 janitors who switch to cleaner cleaning products, VOC emissions could drop by one ton per year. Studies have also shown that the use of cleaner products reduces the incidents of health problems among cleaning staffs. And, in many cases, cleaner products cost less.

Any individual who uses cleaning products at home or work should replace hazardous, VOC-emitting cleaning products with alternative and safer products. For more information about low VOC cleaning products, visit www.cleanaircounts.org/strategies. Visitors will find links to other useful web sites, including those that list sources for cleaner products and environmental criteria.
 

This information was provided by the Clean Air Counts Campaign. From time to time, the Village will be publishing educational articles as part of its participation in the Campaign to improve air quality and reduce ozone-causing emissions.