Eradicating Air Pollution: Can We Force A Change?

Air pollution is a serious global health issue that can only be effectively managed through collective action. While waiting for governments to implement policies, individuals can take action to reduce their exposure and health risks. People can reduce their personal exposure to air pollution by staying indoors, reducing outdoor air infiltration, using air filters, and limiting physical exertion, especially near sources of air pollution. In addition, individuals can reduce their contribution to air pollution by driving less, using public transportation, carpooling, biking, or walking whenever possible, and keeping their cars well-maintained.

Reduce car usage

Reducing car usage is a critical step in forcefully removing air pollution. Here are some ways to reduce car usage and its impact on the environment:

Opt for Walking or Biking

Where possible, choose to walk or bike to your destination instead of driving. This reduces your carbon footprint to zero over short distances, and you will also benefit from the exercise.

Use Public Transportation

Consider using public transportation, such as buses or trains, for longer distances. This reduces the number of cars on the road and the amount of car emissions. If public transportation is not an option, you can try carpooling with colleagues or neighbours.

Plan Efficient Routes

Plan your trips efficiently by combining multiple tasks or errands into one journey. This reduces the number of trips and saves fuel. You can also use ride-sharing services or utilise bike-share programs if they are available in your area.

Work Remotely

If your job permits, work from home periodically to reduce your commute and the need to drive. This not only reduces air pollution but also provides flexibility and can improve productivity.

Maintain Your Vehicle

Regularly maintain your vehicle by following the manufacturer's maintenance schedule and using the recommended motor oil. Keep your tires properly inflated, as this makes your vehicle more fuel-efficient and reduces the amount of fuel burned.

Drive Efficiently

When driving, accelerate gradually, obey speed limits, and avoid aggressive driving. This not only reduces emissions but also improves safety and saves money on fuel costs.

Choose Fuel-Efficient Vehicles

When purchasing a new vehicle, opt for fuel-efficient models with low greenhouse gas emissions. Electric or hybrid vehicles are excellent choices for reducing air pollution.

Keep cars well-maintained

Keeping your car well-maintained is an important step in reducing air pollution. A poorly maintained engine creates more air pollution and uses more fuel. Therefore, it is essential to keep your car in good condition to minimise its environmental impact.

Firstly, it is important to regularly replace oil and air filters. This will ensure your engine is running efficiently and reduce the amount of pollution it creates. Secondly, keeping your tires properly inflated is crucial. Under-inflated tires have been shown to lower gas mileage, especially at lower speeds. This not only increases fuel consumption but also leads to higher emissions. By maintaining proper tire pressure, you can improve your vehicle's fuel efficiency and reduce its environmental footprint.

In addition to these measures, it is also important to address any issues with your car promptly. For example, if you have a check engine light on your dashboard, take your car to a qualified automotive technician for repairs or maintenance. By staying on top of any problems, you can ensure your car is running as cleanly and efficiently as possible. Regular maintenance, such as oil changes and tune-ups, can also help keep your car in optimal condition.

Another way to keep your car well-maintained is to follow the maintenance schedule provided by the manufacturer. This schedule can usually be found in your car's owner's manual. It outlines the recommended service intervals and specific maintenance tasks that should be performed at certain mileage or time intervals. Following this schedule can help ensure that your car is running efficiently and reduce the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns.

Finally, when it comes to maintaining your car, it is also worth considering the type of fuel and oil you use. Opting for higher-quality fuels and oils that are designed to reduce emissions can further contribute to a cleaner-running engine. Additionally, using fuel additives that help clean the engine and improve combustion can also be beneficial. By adopting these maintenance practices, you can play a role in reducing air pollution and contribute to a healthier environment.

Avoid backyard fires

Backyard fires are a significant source of air pollution, especially in densely populated urban areas. The smoke from burning wood contains a complex mixture of gases and fine particles, which can be harmful to human health. Children, teenagers, older adults, and people with heart or lung diseases are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of particle pollution in wood smoke.

Limit or Avoid Backyard Fires

If you live in a city, consider refraining from starting a fire altogether. Smoke from backyard fires can negatively impact the health of hundreds of people, especially those with asthma and other lung conditions. If you do choose to have a campfire, follow these best practices:

Keep Fires Small and Brief

When lighting a fire, use only dry firewood, as green wood creates more smoke and can be toxic. Keep the fire small—no more than 3 feet across—and burn it for a short duration.

Check Air Quality Alerts

Avoid burning wood during air quality alert days when pollution levels are already high. Stay informed by signing up for alerts or notifications about elevated air pollution levels in your area.

Consider Cleaner Alternatives

Instead of burning wood, opt for natural gas or propane burners. These alternatives produce fewer harmful air pollutants. Conversion kits are available to modify existing fire pits or rings.

Follow Local Laws and Ordinances

Some local governments have implemented restrictions on backyard recreational fires. Familiarize yourself with the regulations in your area by checking with local authorities or community organizations.

Plant and Care for Trees

Trees are natural air purifiers. They filter pollutants, absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, and help cool the surrounding environment. By planting and caring for trees in your backyard, you can improve air quality and contribute to a healthier environment for your community.

Promote Education and Awareness

Educate yourself and your community about the impacts of backyard fires on air quality. Encourage neighbors to consider cleaner alternatives and share information about the health risks associated with wood smoke. Together, we can create a collective understanding of the importance of reducing air pollution and protecting our environment.

Use energy-efficient appliances

Energy efficiency is a crucial aspect of reducing air pollution. Energy production and use is the largest source of anthropogenic air pollution globally, and by scaling up the use of energy-efficient appliances, we can significantly curb our pollution output.

Energy-efficient appliances are designed to use less energy to perform the same tasks as standard appliances. They achieve this through advanced technologies that reduce energy waste, improve performance, and minimize environmental impact. This reduction in energy consumption leads to lower carbon emissions, which is essential in the fight against climate change.

Refrigerators and Freezers

Modern refrigerators use half the electricity of older models. When purchasing a new refrigerator, look for models with advanced insulation and compressors, which can significantly reduce energy consumption. Additionally, ensure your fridge is set to a temperature between 3°C and 5°C (37°F and 41°F). Keep your fridge no more than three-quarters full, and regularly clean the condenser coils to maintain optimal efficiency.

Lighting

Replace traditional incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent or LED bulbs. These bulbs use significantly less energy and can provide the same level of illumination. Turn off lights when not in use, and maximize natural daylight by painting walls light shades and positioning mirrors to reflect light.

Laundry

When purchasing a new washing machine, look for high-efficiency models that use less water and energy. Wash your clothes at lower temperatures, around 30°C (87°F), and air-dry them instead of using a tumble dryer. If possible, skip ironing to further reduce energy consumption.

Cooking

Use a microwave or toaster oven for small meals instead of a conventional oven. When cooking on a stovetop, use a lid to retain heat, and keep the food simmering instead of bubbling. Cut food into smaller pieces to reduce cooking time. When using an oven, defrost frozen food in the fridge overnight, and only preheat if specified in the recipe. Turn off the oven 10 minutes early and utilize the residual heat to complete the cooking process.

Other Appliances

When buying new appliances, always look for the ENERGY STAR label or read the energy efficiency label to choose the most efficient models. Unplug or turn off appliances when not in use, as some devices use more energy on standby than in normal use.

By adopting these practices and choosing energy-efficient appliances, you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Plant trees

Planting trees is a powerful way to improve air quality and combat air pollution. Trees play a critical role in ecosystems, offering a range of benefits to people and the environment. They are nature's air purifiers, directly removing pollutants from the air we breathe.

Trees act as natural filters, absorbing gaseous pollutants through tiny pores on their leaves called stomata. These pores inhale air, including toxic pollutants like sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone. Once inside the leaf, the gases diffuse and react with its inner surfaces, breaking down and permanently converting these harmful substances.

Trees also help to reduce particulate matter in the air, the main culprit behind hazy skies. They do this by temporarily "catching" these fine particles on their leaves and stems. When it rains, the trapped particles are washed off, dissolving into stormwater runoff or being transferred into the soil.

In addition to their direct impact on air pollution, trees also improve air quality in other ways. They help to reduce air temperature, which in turn alters pollution concentrations. Lower temperatures mean less energy is needed for cooling, reducing energy consumption in buildings and lowering emissions from power sources.

Trees also absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, a key greenhouse gas, and release clean oxygen for us to breathe. It is estimated that one large tree can provide a day's supply of oxygen for up to four people.

The benefits of trees extend beyond just air pollution. They help clean water, provide food and shelter, relieve stress, and even promote job creation. Planting trees supports ecosystem recovery and fosters biodiversity.

The impact of trees on air quality is significant. In the contiguous United States, urban trees remove an estimated 711,000 metric tons of air pollution annually. In 11 National Capital Area parks, the pollution removal effect was even more impressive, with over 1.1 million metric tons of air pollution eliminated each year.

Planting trees is a simple yet powerful solution to forcefully remove air pollution. It is a natural, sustainable way to improve the air we breathe and enhance our environment and health.

Frequently asked questions