Spending time with family and friends outside by the grill is a popular summer activity for many Long Islanders. How popular? About 75% of Americans own a grill, according to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association. More than half of grill owners use them year-round.

Grilling pollutes the air and disperses other harmful materials into the atmosphere. A U.S. Department of Energy study estimates that cooking on a charcoal grill for one hour emits about 11 pounds of carbon dioxide, and many popular brands are treated with chemicals that can harm the environment. In addition, both the lighter fluid and charcoal emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which contribute to ground-level ozone.

A propane grill, by comparison, only gives off 6 pounds of carbon dioxide per hour, but propane isn't a renewable energy source.

There are a number of things you can do to make your backyard barbecue more environmentally friendly:

• Put as much food on the grill as possible. The more you cook at once, the more efficient you're going to be.

• If you use a charcoal grill, choose natural or organic charcoal and avoid using lighter fluid.

• For propane grills, minimize warm-up time and keep the lid closed as much as possible to cook more efficiently.

• Use washable dishes, utensils and cups. It may add to your cleanup time, but you avoid dumping disposable items into your local landfill.

• Choose grass-fed or free-range beef, chicken or pork.

• Grill or serve organic vegetables from your local farmer's market or food co-op.

Safety should be your first concern when firing up the grill. By following a few simple tips, you can ensure that everyone will have a safe summer. For more information, see Grilling Fire Safety from the U.S. Fire Administration.

• July 4th is the most popular day of the year for grilling.

• Hamburgers are the most commonly grilled food, followed by steak and hot dogs!