INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Vehicles that run only on gasoline produce nitrogen dioxide as a byproduct of driving and idling, so one easy way to cut back on emissions is to drive less. Try walking, biking, or taking public transit instead.  If your location is close enough, try walking or biking, especially if the destination has showers for clean up (workplace, gym, etc.). Many large cities offer public transportation such as buses, subways, trains and "park and ride" which allows you to park your vehicle and take public transit to your destination. Don't drive during certain times. For example, drive less during peak traffic periods, when it is extremely hot, or when there are ozone warnings in effect. This is because gas fumes turn into harmful ground level ozone when they heat up.  If driving is a necessity, try setting up a carpool so there are fewer cars on the road and fewer trips being made. Keeping your car "healthy" will not only improve mileage and save money, it can also reduce emissions. Get regular tune-ups and oil changes and make sure your tires are properly inflated to ensure your car is functioning at its best.  Many states require smog and emission tests to make sure your car isn't emitting too much pollution. These are usually required annually or bi-annually.  Inflating your tires to the correct pressure allows the engine to function better by maintaining a steady load.  Consult your mechanic or your owner's manual for specific information regarding maintenance for your vehicle. Pump gas early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures drop. This prevents the fumes from gasoline from heating up and creating harmful toxins at ground level (ozone). There are alternative fuel sources that are in the works such as ethanol, natural gas, and hydrogen, but not all engines can function off of these fuel sources. These vehicles have been known to dramatically reduce emissions for many reasons (depending on the type of model). Some decrease the consumption of fuel while others do away with fuel altogether. The result is a reduction in tailpipe emissions and therefore a reduction in smog.  Hybrid vehicles are fueled by gasoline alone but have the ability to recapture energy and use it to power the car, resulting in less fuel consumption.  Electric vehicles are powered by electricity alone and must be plugged in and charged in order to drive.  Plug-in hybrids are the best of both worlds, running off of either electricity or gasoline.

SUMMARY: Drive less. Maintain your car. Fuel up in cooler temperatures. Purchase a hybrid or electric vehicle.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Before touching the pimple, make sure that you wash your hands one to two times. Touching pimples with unclean hands can cause the pimples to get worse, since dirt and oil may further block your pores. One way to start healing the pimple is to wipe it with an alcohol pad. This also helps keep it from getting infected and stops the spread of any infection. Witch hazel is another disinfectant that can help clear up and prevent ear pimples. Wipe the ear area with a cotton ball or swab coated in witch hazel. Wash the area with the pimple with water as warm as you can stand it. Also use natural soap or an oil-free cleanser. This cleanser should contain Salicylic Acid, which helps unclog pores and heal pimples. For inside the ear, use a warm or hot washcloth or Q-tip to wash and massage the pimple. Don't rub the pimple; that can cause further irritation. Be very careful when using the Q-tip — do not insert it into your ear canal. Only use it to swab the outside of your ear. To help reduce the pimple, apply acne cream that includes two to 10% Benzoyl Peroxide. Let the cream dry on the pimple. You can also apply 10% Glycolic Acid cream. Try placing some Neosporin or other ointment cream or gel to help heal the pimple. Let the gel dry. Soak a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide and spread it on the pimple. If the pimple is inside the ear canal, you can pour peroxide into the ear. Drain the peroxide into a bowl or onto a cotton swab. Pimples in the ear are just like any other pimple. Ear pimples tend to be caused by a buildup of dirt, shampoo, and earwax. The key is to leave them alone and they will heal. Don't try to pop them, even if this is what you normally do with pimples. Aural pimples (pimples on the ear) are not only painful when squeezed, but if they are on the fleshy lobe of the ear or inside the ear, they can bleed for some time afterwards and cause more problems.

SUMMARY: Touch the pimple with clean hands. Wipe the pimple with alcohol. Clean the area with witch hazel. Wash the pimple. Apply acne cream. Apply ointment gel. Use peroxide. Let them heal naturally.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Purchase clay bead piercing pins from any manufacturer that produces tools for working with clay. If you are unable to find bead piercing pins, sharp skewers or large sewing pins might work well enough. The instrument you use simply needs a sharp, pointed tip and a sturdy metal shaft similar in thickness to 20 gauge wire. It also needs to be long enough to completely pierce through at least one bead. Lightly grasp the bead in between your fingers using your non-dominant hand. Using your dominant hand, gently push the sharp pin tip into the spot the hole needs to be at.  Your fingers should be positioned on the smooth side of the bead and clear from the entrance or exit point of the desired hole. Hold the bead just lightly enough to keep it steady, but do not squeeze it. Twirl the piercing pin between your fingers as you push it through the entire bead. Continue twisting and pushing until the pin pokes out from the opposite side.  You may also need to twist the bead lightly as you insert the pin. Keep the pin straight as you push it through. Work slowly and gently to minimize possible distortion to the shape of the bead. After pushing the pin all the way through to the other side of the bead, pull it back into the hole by about 0.4 to 0.8 inches (1 to 2 mm) As you push the pin through the bead, a little speck of clay will usually poke out from the opposite side. By pulling the pin back in, you can pull this speck back and prevent it from hardening onto the outer surface of the bead. Mild distortion is fairly common, so you might need to use your fingers to gently reshape the bead before setting it. With the right piercing pin and the right technique, you may not encounter any distortion at all. It can take practice before getting the process right without misshaping the bead at all, though, so you should expect a little difficulty the first time you try it. . Place the skewered beads on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or wax paper and bake them as you would bake any polymer clay piece.  Check the instructions on your polymer clay label to determine the correct temperature and correct amount of time. In most cases, you will need to bake the clay beads for 15 to 20 minutes in an oven preheated to 275 degrees Fahrenheit (135 degrees Celsius). Most pins should be oven-safe, so you shouldn't need to remove them prior to baking. Check periodically during the baking process to make sure that the pin is not melting or smoking, though. Remove the finished clay beads from the oven and wait a few minutes for them to cool slightly. As soon as they are cool enough to touch, pick up each bead and pull the pin out through the entrance of the hole.  It is best to remove the pin while the clay is still somewhat warm and soft. Check the hole after you remove the pin. It should be clear and complete from side to side. Once you finish this step, the process is complete.

SUMMARY:
Select piercing pins. Push the pin into the bead. Twist and continue pushing. Pull the pin back. Reshape the bead as needed. Bake the clay Remove the pin and check the hole.