Air Pollution: Simple Ways To Reduce Exposure

Air pollution is a serious problem that can have adverse effects on our health. There are many ways we can avoid air pollution in our daily lives, from checking daily air pollution forecasts in our area to choosing a cleaner commute, such as carpooling or using public transportation. We can also conserve energy by looking for the ENERGY STAR label when buying home or office equipment, and by switching energy suppliers to companies that use renewable energy sources.

Avoid exercising near high-traffic areas

Individuals can reduce their exposure to air pollution by avoiding exercising near high-traffic areas. This is because vehicles on busy highways can create high pollution levels nearby. Instead, it is recommended to move your workout indoors, such as walking in a shopping mall or using a gym.

You can also avoid air pollution by reducing your exposure to other sources of combustion, such as the burning of wood, biomass, or other materials. This includes domestic burning, which has become the largest contributor to the UK's particulate matter emissions.

To reduce air pollution more generally, there are several other steps you can take. These include:

• Conserving energy at home, at work, and everywhere
• Using public transportation, carpooling, biking, or walking whenever possible
• Keeping car, boat, and other engines properly tuned
• Using environmentally safe paints and cleaning products
• Mulching or composting leaves and yard waste

Choose a cleaner commute

There are many ways to avoid air pollution in our daily lives. One of the most effective ways is to choose a cleaner commute. This means opting for public transportation, carpooling, or even walking or biking whenever possible. By sharing rides or using public transport, we can reduce the number of cars on the road and thus lower vehicle emissions. It is also important to avoid excessive idling of your automobile and to combine errands to reduce trips. Walking to run errands is another way to reduce air pollution and improve your health.

When it comes to our vehicles, we can make sure they are properly maintained. This includes keeping car, boat, and other engines properly tuned and ensuring tires are properly inflated. Following gasoline refueling instructions carefully and avoiding fuel spills can also help, as can using a "spill-proof" portable gasoline container.

Another way to reduce air pollution is to switch energy suppliers to companies that use renewable energy sources. Checking your Energy Performance Certificate can help identify areas for improvement, such as installing better insulation or more efficient appliances.

It is also important to be mindful of physical activity and its impact on air pollution exposure. Avoiding regular physical activity near high-traffic roadways or other sources of combustion, such as wood-burning, can reduce potential health risks. Checking daily air pollution forecasts in your area can help you plan your workouts accordingly, opting for indoor exercises when pollution levels are high.

Conserve energy

Conserving energy is one of the most effective ways to avoid air pollution in our daily lives. At home, look for the ENERGY STAR label when buying home or office equipment. You can also switch energy suppliers to companies that use renewable energy sources. Check your Energy Performance Certificate to see if there is room for improvement, such as installing better insulation or more efficient appliances.

When it comes to transportation, carpooling, using public transportation, biking, or walking are great ways to conserve energy and reduce air pollution. If you must drive, consider purchasing a portable "spill-proof" gasoline container to prevent fuel spills, and always tighten your gas cap securely. Keep your car engine properly tuned and ensure your tires are properly inflated.

In addition to transportation and home energy use, there are other ways to conserve energy and reduce air pollution. For example, you can use environmentally safe paints and cleaning products. You can also mulch or compost leaves and yard waste instead of burning them, as domestic burning is a significant contributor to air pollution.

By following these simple tips, we can all do our part to conserve energy and reduce air pollution, leading to a healthier and more sustainable future for ourselves and generations to come.

Check daily air pollution forecasts

Checking daily air pollution forecasts is a great way to reduce your exposure to air pollution. Forecasts are often colour-coded to indicate the level of pollution in your community. You can find this information on local radio and TV weather reports, in newspapers, and online at airnow.gov. When the air quality is poor, it's best to move your workout indoors, such as to a gym or shopping mall. You should also limit the amount of time your child spends playing outdoors. Even if the air quality is good, it's best to avoid exercising near high-traffic areas, as vehicles on busy highways can create high pollution levels nearby.

To avoid air pollution, you can also choose a cleaner commute. Share a ride to work or use public transportation. If possible, walk or cycle to your destination. You can also combine errands and reduce trips, and walk to your errands when possible.

Avoid domestic burning

Burning solid fuels, such as in open fires and wood-burning stoves, has a significant impact on air pollution. To avoid domestic burning, you should:

• Avoid having bonfires to burn waste, even if it is garden or allotment waste. Bonfires contribute to local air pollution and can cause a nuisance to neighbours.
• Dispose of household or garden waste in your council bin or take it to your local recycling centre.
• Avoid burning painted wood, plastics and rubber, as these can release toxic pollutants.
• Avoid using gas, propane or wood-burning stoves and furnaces.
• Avoid burning candles or incense.
• Avoid strenuous activity during smoky times to reduce how much smoke you inhale.
• Avoid smoking and vaping.
• Avoid frying or broiling food.
• Avoid using a vacuum without a HEPA filter.
• Avoid burning firewood and trash.
• Use hand-powered or electric lawn care equipment rather than gasoline-powered.

You can also reduce your exposure to air pollution by avoiding physical activity near high-traffic roadways or other sources of combustion, choosing a cleaner commute, using energy-efficient appliances, and using environmentally safe paints and cleaning products.

Frequently asked questions