Protecting Our Health: Battling Air Pollution's Impact

Air pollution is a serious issue that can have a detrimental impact on our health. While we can take steps to reduce our exposure to air pollution, such as checking daily air pollution forecasts and limiting time spent outdoors when pollution levels are high, it is also important to recognise the role of policymakers and governments in prioritising clean air and reducing pollution sources. This involves advocating for cleaner air and supporting national, state and local efforts to address this issue. Additionally, we must consider the trade-offs between reducing exposure to air pollution and maintaining physical activity, as physical inactivity is a significant risk factor for various diseases.

Check daily air pollution forecasts in your area

Checking daily air pollution forecasts in your area is a great way to protect your health from air pollution. The forecasts can let you know when the air is unhealthy in your community. You can find this information from local radio and TV weather reports, newspapers, and online at airnow.gov. The air quality index (AQI) is another useful tool for tracking air pollution in your area. Developed by the EPA, the AQI measures air quality and can be tracked specifically for where you live at AirNow.

When the air quality is poor, it's important to take steps to limit your exposure. This might include avoiding outdoor exercise, especially near high-traffic areas, as vehicles on busy highways can create high pollution levels nearby. If you have children, it's also important to limit the amount of time they spend playing outdoors when the air quality is unhealthy.

In addition to checking forecasts and taking steps to avoid outdoor pollution, it's also important to protect your indoor air quality. This might include using air conditioners and fans to keep the air circulating and cool, especially if you need to keep your windows closed due to poor outdoor air quality.

Limit outdoor exercise when pollution levels are high

While exercise is important for our health, it is also crucial to limit outdoor exercise when pollution levels are high. This is because physical activity increases the inhalation of air pollutants, which can be harmful to our health.

You can check daily air pollution forecasts in your area to know when the air is unhealthy. Sources include local radio and TV weather reports, newspapers, and online at airnow.gov. The EPA has also developed the Air Quality Index (AQI) to measure air quality, which you can track specifically for where you live. When the AQI is in the unhealthy zones, try to avoid outdoor activities, especially near traffic-congested areas.

If you must exercise outdoors when pollution levels are high, consider wearing a mask. Cloth masks and surgical masks may help with larger particles, but only certain masks like N95s will filter fine particles. Alternatively, you can move your workout indoors, such as walking in a shopping mall or using a gym.

Protect indoor air quality

Protecting indoor air quality is an important step in reducing the health risks associated with air pollution. The air we breathe indoors can be more polluted than the air outside, due to chemicals released from consumer products, gas appliances, building materials, smoking and furniture.

One way to protect indoor air quality is to prevent or minimise the release of pollutants. This can be done by choosing building materials and furnishings that are labelled as California Phase II Compliant or TSCA Title VI Compliant. When purchasing carpets, look for the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Green Label Plus logo. It is also important to air out new carpets and furniture before bringing them indoors.

Another way to improve indoor air quality is to ventilate your home. Opening windows is an easy way to encourage a good exchange of indoor and outdoor air, although this should be avoided if it's too cold or the pollen count is high. Ventilation systems can also be used to improve air quality, but it is important to maintain them properly.

Reducing exposure to secondhand smoke is also key to protecting indoor air quality. Cigarette smoke impairs respiratory health and is responsible for about 3,000 lung cancer deaths per year in non-smokers. Restricting smoking to outdoor areas away from doors and windows can help to reduce exposure.

Finally, choosing safer cleaning and household products can improve indoor air quality. Some products, such as air fresheners and strongly scented items, can react with ozone to form particles and formaldehyde. It is also important to avoid products that make surfaces stain- and water-repellent, as these may contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Wear a mask when going outside

One of the best ways to protect yourself from air pollution is to wear a mask when going outside. Masks can help to filter out larger particles in the air, reducing the amount you breathe in. Cloth masks and surgical masks are effective at filtering larger particles, but if you want to filter out fine particles, you'll need a specialised mask like an N95.

It's also important to check the air quality in your area before going outside. You can do this by checking the daily air pollution forecasts, which are often colour-coded to indicate the level of pollution. If the air quality is poor, try to limit your time outside and avoid exercising outdoors. Instead, opt for indoor activities or exercise indoors, such as walking in a shopping mall or using a gym.

By combining mask-wearing with smart decisions about when and where to spend time outdoors, you can significantly reduce your exposure to air pollution and protect your health.

Support national, state and local efforts to clean up sources of pollution

We can all take steps to reduce pollution and avoid exposure, but we need our policymakers at every level of government to prioritise clean air. To support national, state and local efforts to clean up sources of pollution, you can get involved by checking out campaigns such as the Healthy Air Campaign, where you can send messages to decision-makers and share your story. You can also check daily air pollution forecasts in your area, and avoid exercising outdoors when pollution levels are high. When the air is bad, move your workout indoors, like walking in a shopping mall or using a gym. Limit the amount of time your child spends playing outdoors if the air quality is unhealthy. Even if the air quality forecasts are green, avoid exercising near high-traffic areas, because the vehicles on busy highways can create high pollution levels nearby.

You can also protect your indoor air quality. When the air quality is unhealthy, stay indoors and close the windows while using air conditioners and fans when it's hot, if possible, to keep you from getting overheated. Or, when you go outside, wear a mask: cloth masks and surgical masks may help with larger particles, but only certain masks like N95s will filter fine particles.

Frequently asked questions