Clean Air for Life Launches the 'California Clean Air Challenge' Fund-Raising Drive; $250,000 Drive to Promote Clean Air Education in San Jose, Sacramento and Los Angeles

    SAN FRANCISCO--July 21, 2003--Clean Air for Life, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating Californians on how they can positively impact air quality through their vehicle choices, today announced a $250,000 fund-raising drive to raise awareness in California on the strong connection between smog created by car exhaust and respiratory ailments.
    Clean Air for Life anticipates that up to 90% of monies raised during the "California Clean Air Challenge" will go directly to public service print advertising campaigns in high impact cities, including San Jose, Sacramento and Los Angeles. Donors can pledge money through Clean Air for Life's Web site, www.cleanairforlife.org, or by mailing funds directly to the organization.
    "One of our most precious resources is the air that we breathe," said Barbara Wambach, executive vice president at GAP Body and one of the first business executives leading the challenge. "The timing is now for Clean Air for Life. Automobile emissions account for half of our air pollutants. The auto industry has responded with many choices that reduce these pollutants by more than 75%. Clean Air for Life educates consumers so that they can make smart choices in automobiles with great affect on the quality of air that we breathe. Look at the tremendous impact that recycling efforts have made towards saving our land resources. It's all of us that make the difference in protecting our precious resources. Clean Air for Life helps us make that difference."
    In 2002, the four most ozone-polluted metropolitan areas and the five most ozone-polluted counties in the nation were in California. Exposure to ozone even at low levels can have significant health effects, particularly for children and the elderly. According to a 2002 American Lung Association State of the Air Report, the number of children in California who have asthma rose to 600,000, a 160% increase since 1980.
    Since launching in March of 2002, Clean Air for Life has already become a valuable resource for Californians who want to drive their way to cleaner, healthier cities. The Clean Air for Life Web site, www.cleanairforlife.org, lists current information from leading health organizations on the significant health risks generated by poor air quality. The Web site also provides links to valuable resources that enable consumers to research vehicle emissions and help visitors identify the most fuel-efficient, low emission car that meets their own individual needs. Information on low emission hybrid, electric or compressed natural gas automobiles is also available.
    "It is important to everyone at Clean Air for Life that all Californians feel they have a voice and the power to create their own, healthy clean air future," said Clean Air for Life Co-founder and Board of Directors President Laurent Pacalin. "The 'California Clean Air Challenge' gives communities high at risk for unhealthy air quality, such as Los Angeles, Sacramento and the San Jose, the opportunity to get involved and is key to making our mission a reality. As a 100% volunteer organization, we are extremely proud of the positive reaction we've received thus far and the fact that such a large percentage of the funds raised will go directly to public education about clean air and vehicle emissions, not on administrative costs."
    Donations to the 'California Clean Air Challenge' can be made directly on the Web site or by mailing checks to Clean Air for Life, 151 Corona Way, Portola Valley, CA 94028.

    ABOUT CLEAN AIR FOR LIFE

    Incorporated in July 2002, Clean Air for Life is a California nonprofit organization dedicated to educating consumers on how they can positively impact air quality in major metropolitan areas through vehicle choices. The organization provides community education through public service advertising and access to current information on the significant health risks generated by poor air quality through the Clean Air for Life Web site, www.cleanairforlife.org. Clean Air for Life relies on the aggregate power of the Californian consumer with the belief that consumers would drive cleaner, low emission vehicles if properly informed. Clean Air for Life is an independent organization whose message is not controlled by associations, political parties or car manufacturers. Up to 90% of proceeds go toward public education. Clean Air for Life is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code.