Community Action For Cleaner Air

Air pollution is a serious global public health problem that can be tackled by collective action to control emissions of both primary air pollutants and precursors that react to form secondary air pollutants. While effective policies to reduce emissions at their sources are clearly preferable, some evidence supports the effectiveness of individual actions to reduce exposure and health risks.

There are many small but critical sources of air pollution in our homes and neighbourhoods. Vehicle exhaust is a major source of air pollution. To reduce air pollution, we can drive our cars less, carpool, bike, take public transportation, or telecommute. We can also keep our cars in good repair and limit backyard fires in the city.

We can also reduce energy consumption by choosing efficient appliances and heating systems, using less energy, and turning off electrical items when not in use. We can also plant and care for trees, as they filter pollutants and absorb carbon dioxide.

Additionally, we can support the creation of policies and passing of laws to restrict air pollution. We can also advocate for and participate in community engagement initiatives to address air quality.

Drive less, and use public transport, carpool, walk or cycle instead

Driving less and opting for more sustainable modes of transportation is a great way for communities to reduce air pollution. Here are some ways to achieve this:

Public Transport

Public transportation is a convenient and eco-friendly alternative to driving. It helps reduce the number of private vehicles on the road, thereby lowering traffic congestion and ensuring a smoother flow of traffic. It is also cheaper than owning and operating a car, and you don't have to worry about finding a parking space. Additionally, public transport follows a disciplined schedule, reducing delays in reaching destinations.

Carpooling

Carpooling is an effective way to reduce the number of cars on the road. Instead of four people taking four separate cars, carpooling allows for one car to be shared by four people, thereby reducing traffic load and congestion. It is also more convenient and less tiring, as individuals can take turns driving.

Walking

Walking is a great way to reduce air pollution and stay healthy. For shorter distances, or when facing issues with last-mile connectivity, walking is a feasible option. It helps reduce the carbon footprint of daily travel and can even be faster than driving in heavy traffic or when facing parking issues.

Cycling

Cycling is another sustainable mode of transportation that can help reduce air pollution. In places with dedicated cycling tracks and infrastructure, cycling can be a fast, eco-friendly, and healthy way to commute. Electric bikes and scooters are also viable options, especially for longer distances or when dealing with the issue of last-mile connectivity.

By adopting these sustainable modes of transportation, communities can play a vital role in reducing air pollution and creating a greener and healthier environment for all.

Keep your car well-maintained, and check your tyre pressure

Keeping your car well-maintained and checking your tyre pressure regularly are simple yet effective ways to reduce air pollution. Under-inflated tyres can negatively impact your vehicle's fuel economy, leading to increased emissions and higher costs. Here's how you can ensure your car is well-maintained and your tyres are properly inflated:

Keep Your Car Well-Maintained

Maintaining your vehicle is crucial to reducing air pollution. Here are some tips to keep your car in good condition:

• Regularly check for any warning lights on your dashboard. Modern vehicles may seem to drive normally even when a repair is needed, so don't ignore the indicator lights. Get your vehicle inspected by a mechanic as soon as possible to save fuel and avoid costly repairs down the road.
• Fix exhaust and oxygen sensor problems as soon as possible. These issues can increase emissions and impact your vehicle's performance.
• Maintain your vehicle's emissions control systems. Keep an eye on the check engine light, as it may indicate a problem with these systems.

Check Your Tyre Pressure Regularly

Tyre pressure plays a significant role in fuel efficiency and road safety. Here are some tips to ensure your tyres are properly inflated:

• Check your tyre pressure at least once a month. Tyre pressure should be checked when the tyres are cold, ideally before driving. Allow 3-4 hours after driving for the most accurate reading.
• Find the correct tyre pressure for your vehicle. This information can be found in the owner's manual, on a sticker inside the driver's door frame or glove box, or on a sticker somewhere on the vehicle's bodywork.
• Use a high-quality tyre pressure gauge. Digital gauges are a popular choice.
• To check the pressure, remove the valve dust cap, place the pressure gauge on the tyre valve stem, and press down evenly to get an accurate reading.
• Inflate or deflate your tyres as needed. Use a suitable pump to add air and avoid over-inflation by adding small amounts at a time. If your tyres need deflating, use a flat-head screwdriver to push the metal pin on the valve stem to release air.
• Regularly check the pressure of your spare tyre (if you have one).
• Consider investing in an air compressor to inflate your tyres away from a petrol station. These are usually compact and can be powered through your car's cigarette lighter socket.

Turn off your engine when stationary

Turning off your engine when it is not needed is a simple yet powerful way to reduce air pollution. Leaving a vehicle's engine running while it is stationary, known as idling, creates a hotspot of pollution, increasing the levels of exhaust fumes and harmful gases in the air. These fumes contain harmful gases, including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and hydrocarbons, which have detrimental effects on both the environment and human health.

Idling vehicles contribute to climate change and air pollution, which is linked to serious health issues such as asthma and other lung diseases. According to the Royal College of Physicians, around 40,000 deaths per year in the UK are linked to air pollution, with engine idling being a contributing factor. By turning off your engine when stationary, you can play a crucial role in improving air quality and protecting the health of those around you.

Additionally, idling wastes fuel and increases wear and tear on your engine. Modern vehicles are designed to be turned off when stationary, and restarting the engine after a minute or more causes less pollution and uses less fuel than keeping the engine idling. This not only helps reduce air pollution but also saves you money and prolongs the life of your engine.

To put this into practice, turn off your engine when parked and waiting, stuck in traffic, or dropping off children at school or daycare. Be mindful of how long you are going to be stationary, and if it's more than a couple of minutes, it's best to turn off the engine. Many modern vehicles even have 'stop-start' systems that automatically turn off the engine when the vehicle is stationary, reducing emissions and noise pollution.

By taking this simple step of turning off your engine when it's practical and safe to do so, you can make a significant contribution to improving air quality and protecting the environment and public health.

Don't burn your rubbish

Burning rubbish is a common method of disposing of waste, especially in rural areas. However, it is a dangerous practice that has a detrimental impact on both the environment and human health.

Firstly, burning household garbage in burn barrels, stoves, and fire pits creates a significant amount of air pollution. These low-temperature fires produce large amounts of smoke, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and smaller amounts of more poisonous chemicals such as benzene, dioxins, lead, and mercury. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, just one burn barrel can produce as much or more dioxin than a large-scale municipal waste combustor burning 200 tons of trash per day. Dioxin is a potent carcinogen, especially harmful to vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, children, and the elderly.

The smoke released from burning trash can affect the health of not only the individuals burning the rubbish but also their neighbours. The smoke can cause eye and lung irritation, burning eyes and nose, coughing, nausea, headaches, dizziness, and trigger asthma attacks. The chemicals from the smoke can settle on fruits and vegetables in nearby gardens, contaminating them. People can then be exposed to these harmful chemicals by consuming the contaminated produce. The smoke can also deposit chemicals on garden soil, which can be taken up by crops if the ash is mixed into the soil. Furthermore, if farm animals consume contaminated feed or soil, these chemicals can enter milk, eggs, or meat.

The specific chemicals released into the air depend on the type of trash being burned, the temperature of the fire, and the available oxygen. For example, burning plastics, polystyrene, CCA pressure-treated wood, and bleached or coloured papers can release harmful chemicals such as arsenic. These chemicals can remain in the environment for extended periods, lingering on properties and causing long-term health issues for those exposed.

To reduce air pollution and protect the health of communities, it is essential to stop burning rubbish. Instead, individuals should focus on reducing waste, reusing products, recycling, and composting. Proper waste disposal practices, such as hiring sanitation services or working with local garbage services, are also crucial in ensuring trash is managed safely and responsibly.

Plant and care for trees

Trees are an excellent way to reduce air pollution and improve air quality. They can filter pollutants and absorb carbon dioxide, all while releasing oxygen into the atmosphere.

Choosing the Right Trees

• Choose the right species of trees for your location. Consider native species, as they generally emit fewer VOCs than non-native species.
• Opt for trees with larger canopies, as they can trap more particles than trees with smaller canopies.
• Select trees with larger, rough, rugged, and hairy leaves, as they are the "best filters" for particulate matter.
• Conifers, such as pines and cypresses, are excellent choices for reducing particulate matter due to their dense, needle-like leaves and evergreen nature.
• Avoid species that emit high levels of VOCs, such as poplars or black gum trees.
• Ensure biodiversity by planting a variety of species. Aim for no more than 5-10% of an urban forest to be of the same species or family.

Where to Plant

• Plant trees close to sources of pollution, such as busy roads or industrial areas.
• Consider the wind direction and landscape structure when deciding on planting locations, as these factors influence how pollution moves.
• In narrow streets surrounded by tall buildings, opt for hedges or green walls instead of tall trees to avoid trapping pollutants at ground level.
• On broad roads with low-rise buildings, both trees and hedges are suitable and can effectively reduce pollution.

Maintenance

• Be realistic about the maintenance requirements of the trees you choose. Select species that require minimal attention and have a longer lifespan.
• Regularly maintain your trees by pruning, watering, and providing any necessary treatments.
• Ensure the long-term care of the trees by working with local governments and organizations to develop maintenance plans and educate the community about the importance of tree care.

By following these guidelines, communities can effectively plant and care for trees to reduce air pollution and improve the health and well-being of those living in urban areas.

Frequently asked questions