Vehicle Emissions Clinics

Drivers in St. John's and surrounding communities are invited to attend a "No Fees, No Fines" Vehicle Emissions Clinic, July 21-26. The clinics are sponsored by the Department of Environment and Labour, Environment Canada, the Lung Association of Newfoundland and Labrador and Automotive Diagnostics.

Clinics are scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the following locations:

• Monday, July 21 Bidgood's Plaza, Goulds
  Tuesday, July 22 T.C. Square, Carbonear
  Wednesday, July 23 Beaver Plaza, Bay Roberts
  Thursday, July 24 Churchill Square, St. John's
  - Saturday July 26

The clinics are an opportunity for motorists to have the pollution control equipment in their vehicles inspected free of charge and without worry of prosecution. Provincial Environment and Labour Minister, Oliver Langdon, stated that "Even though air quality in this province is better than most, participating in this clinic can help motorists learn how to improve their vehicle's fuel efficiency while improving air quality at the same time". Brian Power, Newfoundland Manager for Environment Canada, Environmental Protection Branch, noted that "vehicle emissions are one of the largest contributors to air pollution, containing over 1,000 contaminants - the most harmful being sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides."

The overall results will guide efforts aimed at protecting the air that we all breathe. At the clinic, participants drive their vehicle into a lane set up in a parking lot. A probe will be inserted into the tailpipe to measure emissions at two idling speeds. The probe measures levels of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons in the tailpipe emissions. Immediately following each test, technicians will discuss the results with each driver and recommend, if necessary, how emissions can be reduced. Emission results will be provided. The entire testing process takes up to 10 minutes.

"This event is an excellent opportunity for individuals to do their part in improving air quality by finding out how their car or truck measures up environmentally," says Nancy Stokes, Health Initiatives Coordinator for the Lung Association. "We think it is important to raise public awareness of the value of clean air to our own health and to that of the environment."

The media and public are invited to participate in the clinics.

• Contact:

  Sean Kelly
  Director of Communications
  Department of Environment and Labour
  (709) 729-2575

  or

  Nancy Stokes
  Health Initiatives Coordinator
  Lung Association, Newfoundland and Labrador
  292 LeMarchant Rd.
  (709) 726-4664