In celebration of Earth Month and Air Quality Awareness Week, Illinois EPA Director Lisa Bonnett and Illinois Partners for Clean Air have joined together to promote this week as Air Quality Awareness Week in Illinois with the goal to help educate the public about air quality and encourage citizens to regularly check their local air quality forecast.  They report that those with lung disease are sometimes the first to feel the impact of high air pollution levels.  This week is focusing on actions individuals can take to reduce air pollution while staying informed of their local air quality.  Like the weather and allergens, air quality can change from day to day, and Illinois EPA wants individuals to be “aware of the air” they breathe.  Children are particularly susceptible to air pollution because their lungs are still developing.  Air pollution can cause shortness of breath, coughing, eye and nose irritation and has been connected with aggravated asthma, decreased lung function, irregular heartbeat and premature death.  Activities for the week included riding a bicycle where possible instead of using gas and emitting smoke into the air.  Today is “Ride Together Tuesday” which encourages carpooling to decrease the amount of dust and emissions in the air. Tomorrow is “Walk Somewhere Wednesday” which again encourages not using the car when possible to reduce emissions and increasing the number of steps you take will improve your health.  On “No Idle” Thursday,” they are encouraging motorists to avoid using the drive-thru and go inside to order your food, coffee, prescriptions or to do your banking.  Instead of letting the vehicle idle it will be shut off and will reduce exhaust emissions.  The week caps off with “Car Free Friday” which encourages those able to take public transportation instead of driving.  Again, this will mean fewer vehicles on the road, thus reducing exhaust emissions.  Visit www.epa.state.il.us for more information.