How can I help protect the environment during the summer months?

You can find Hot Tips for a Cool Summer at:
http://www.epa.gov/epahome/hi-summer.htm

Using Water in the Summer

Everyday chores like washing cars, working with motors, fertilizing the lawn, walking the dog, and controlling insect pests can harm your streams and lakes. Storm drains collect water from outside our homes and businesses and carry it, untreated, directly to streams and rivers. Sewers collect water from inside homes and businesses and carry it to treatment plants, where it is cleaned before it reaches streams and rivers. So remember, only rain should go into storm drains, not trash, oil, or other pollutants.

• Learn more from the brochure Stop Pointless Personal Pollution! http://www.epa.gov/owow/NPS/nps_edu/pdf/stop.pdf (PDF) (2pp., 2.6 MB, about PDF)
• More about stormwater runoff: http://www.epa.gov/region09/water/npdes/stormwater-feature.html

Keeping the Air Clean and the Water Pure When You Go Boating

• Bon Voyage to Bad Boating Habits: http://www.epa.gov/owow/NPS/nps_edu/pdf/boat.pdf (PDF) (2pp., 3.51 MB, about PDF)

Improving Energy Efficiency in Your Home During the Hot Summer Months

• EPA Newsroom: Stay cool and comfortable this summer with Energy Star; Recommendations from EPA save energy and money at home: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/5e0d4d0842c7037c8525701300557fc6?OpenDocument
• EnergyStar: Heat and Cool Efficiently: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_hvac

Taking Care of Your Car in the Heat

When servicing automotive air-conditioning systems, vehicle owners generally have several options to recharge a/c systems with refrigerant. One option is to top-off your car's system with refrigerant, and another is to evacuate and recharge the system. Both of these options will provide cool air in the passenger compartment for some period of time.

• Recharging Your Car's Air Conditioner with Refrigerant Web site: http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/609/recharge.html
• To save gasoline and money during those long vacation trips, keep your car tuned, your tires properly inflated, and drive carefully.
• More gas mileage tips are available from the FuelEconomy.gov Web site: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/drive.shtml.

Going to the Beach? Learn When Beaches May Be Closed

Beach Advisories: Beach water pollution can occur for a number of reasons including stormwater runoff after heavy rainfall, treatment plant malfunctions,sewer system overflows, and pet and wildlife waste on or near the beach.

• View the latest information on your beach that states have sent to EPA: http://watersgeo.epa.gov/beacon2/

Going Fishing? Learn When Fish May be Unsafe to Eat

Fish are important in a healthy diet. They are a lean, low-calorie source of protein. However, some fish may contain methylmercury or other harmful chemicals at sufficiently high levels to be a concern. Federal, state and local governments issue fish consumption advisories when the fish are unsafe to eat. The advisories may suggest that people avoid eating certain kinds or certain amounts of fish.

• Some advisories apply to specific water bodies (like lakes).
• Some may focus on groups of particularly sensitive people.
• Some advisories include notices of "no restriction" to tell us that certain fish are safe to eat.

For more information:

• General information from EPA and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration about mercury in fish and shellfish: http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/fishshellfish/outreach/advice_index.cfm
• Fish Consumption Advisories website: http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/fishshellfish/fishadvisories/general.cfm
• Advisories for particular waterbodies, by state: http://fishadvisoryonline.epa.gov/General.aspx(interactive map)
  • Tutorial on using the map: http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/fishshellfish/fishadvisories/general.cfm#star
• Information on seafood from FoodSafety.gov:  http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/types/seafood/index.html

Staying Safe in the Sun

UV Index- The UV Index is a tool that provides a forecast of the strength of the sun's ultraviolet radiation for your community. Search for your local UV Index forecast by ZIP code at the UV Index Web page.

• UV Index Web page: http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html

External Links Disclaimer: Please be aware that links to non-EPA sites do not imply any official EPA endorsement. Furthermore, EPA does not accept any responsibility for the opinions, ideas, data or products presented at those locations, or guarantee the validity of the information provided. EPA does not guarantee the suitability of the information for any specific purpose.