Strategies To Reduce Air Pollutants For Cleaner Breathing

Air pollution is a serious global health problem, with many areas of the world exceeding the levels of air pollutants associated with adverse health effects. While collective action is the most effective way to control emissions, individual actions can also help to reduce exposure and health risks. One of the easiest ways to reduce air pollution is to transform the way we travel. This includes walking and cycling more, using public transportation, and reducing the number of car journeys we take. Other ways to reduce air pollution include reducing energy consumption, recycling and reusing products, and avoiding the burning of trash and other man-made materials.

Reduce car usage, walk, cycle or take public transport

Reducing air pollution is crucial for improving public health and mitigating climate change. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by reducing car usage and opting for more sustainable modes of transportation, such as walking, cycling, or taking public transport.

Walking and cycling are excellent alternatives to driving, as they not only reduce air pollution but also provide health benefits to the individual. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), walking for 30 minutes or cycling for 20 minutes on most days can reduce mortality risk by at least 10%. Active commuting is associated with a 10% decrease in the risk of cardiovascular disease and a 30% decrease in type 2 diabetes risk. Additionally, cancer-related mortality is 30% lower among those who commute by bicycle.

By choosing to walk or cycle, you can directly contribute to reducing emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases. CO2 emissions from cars account for 13% of the UK's total emissions, and transportation is the biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, leaving the car at home whenever possible can significantly reduce your carbon footprint.

Public transportation is another great option to reduce car usage. Taking the bus or train instead of driving can help decrease congestion on roads and lower your individual carbon footprint. On average, CO2 emissions per passenger for trains and coaches are six to eight times lower than car travel. Additionally, public transport can be more convenient and cheaper than driving, especially when combined with walking or cycling for part of the journey.

To facilitate these sustainable transportation options, it is important to have safe infrastructure for walking and cycling, such as dedicated paths and lanes, and efficient public transportation systems. This includes improving land use and urban planning to reduce car dependency and making public transportation more accessible and attractive to commuters.

Avoid drive-thrus and idling cars

Vehicle idling, or keeping a car running while it is not in motion, is a significant contributor to air pollution. Idling cars emit pollutants that are harmful to human health and the environment. On days with already poor air quality, idling cars can create a hyper-local hotspot of air pollution. For example, a study by the University of Utah found that during temperature inversions, emissions from idling vehicles at drive-through COVID-19 testing sites caused a local pollution hotspot, potentially endangering the health of testing staff.

To reduce air pollution, it is important to avoid idling whenever possible. This can be achieved by skipping the drive-thru and parking your car to go inside instead. Additionally, it is recommended to reduce the amount of time spent in drive-thru lines, especially on days with high air pollution levels.

Another way to minimize idling is to plan your trips efficiently. This can include combining multiple errands into one trip, choosing longer time windows for scheduled deliveries to optimize routes and reduce extra trips, and considering alternative modes of transportation such as walking, cycling, or taking public transport. Walking and cycling have the added benefit of improving your health and reducing congestion on the roads.

Furthermore, maintaining your vehicle and adopting efficient driving practices can help minimize idling. This includes keeping your car in good working condition, following the manufacturer's maintenance schedule, and driving efficiently by being gentle on the gas pedal and brakes. When purchasing a new car, consider choosing a fuel-efficient vehicle with low greenhouse gas emissions.

By avoiding drive-thrus, minimizing idling, planning efficient trips, adopting sustainable transportation options, and maintaining fuel-efficient vehicles, we can collectively contribute to reducing air pollution and improving the air quality in our communities.

Use energy-efficient appliances and lights

Using energy-efficient appliances and lights is a great way to reduce air pollution. Energy efficiency is all about using technology to reduce energy waste, so you can still use energy but consume less of it. This is good for the planet and your wallet!

One of the easiest ways to identify energy-efficient appliances is to look for the Energy Star label. This is a voluntary program managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its thousands of partners. The EPA estimates that the program has reduced carbon pollution by 4 billion metric tons while saving $500 billion on household energy bills. Energy Star labels can be found on over 75 types of products, including appliances, lighting, and home electronics. For example, a newer fridge with the Energy Star label uses 35% less electricity than an older model. Energy Star washing machines use a quarter less energy and a third less water than standard models.

You can also look at the energy efficiency ratings when buying new appliances. There can be huge differences between the best and worst appliances, for example, the annual CO2e output of Ultra HD flat-screen TVs can vary from 25kg to 310kg. Gas ovens are also much cheaper to run and have lower CO2 emissions than electric ovens.

Another way to save energy is to turn off appliances and lights when they are not in use. This includes turning off appliances at the mains, as some devices use more energy on standby than in normal use. You can also use an energy monitor to identify particularly energy-hungry appliances.

Finally, when it comes to lighting, LED bulbs are much more efficient than halogen bulbs. By replacing your light fixtures with energy-conserving compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs), you can save 75% of the energy used with incandescent bulbs.

Avoid burning trash, leaves or using fireworks

Burning trash, leaves, and fireworks are all sources of air pollution. Backyard burning of trash and leaves releases smoke into the air, which contains particle pollution. Particle pollution is made up of small bits of ash that can lodge deep into the lungs and cause respiratory problems, cardiac arrhythmia, and heart attacks. It can also contain heavy metals and other harmful pollutants. The smoke from backyard fires is released close to the ground, making it easy for people to breathe in. This can result in a range of negative health effects, from burning eyes and noses to coughing, nausea, headaches, and dizziness. Some people may be more sensitive to these chemicals, and those with heart and lung conditions are at greater risk. Repeated exposure to these pollutants may increase the risk of chronic health problems.

The content of the smoke depends on the materials burned, the fire's temperature, and the available oxygen. Trash fires can smolder and produce greater amounts of harmful chemicals. Burning plastics, polystyrene, CCA-treated wood, and colored or bleached papers can release harmful chemicals such as arsenic, which can be toxic. These fires also produce hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs can form ground-level ozone, causing breathing difficulties, especially for those who are young, old, or have respiratory conditions such as asthma.

Leaves should also not be burned, as this releases benzo(a)pyrene, which is a known carcinogen. The ash from burning leaves and trash can cause health hazards if it is buried or scattered in a yard or garden. Heavy metals, such as those found in the inks of printed materials, can contaminate the soil and water, and be taken up by plants. Children are particularly susceptible to these metals as they tend to play in dirt and put their hands in their mouths.

Instead of burning trash, leaves, and other yard waste, it is recommended to develop a compost pile that can turn waste into mulch. Recycling is also an important way to reduce the amount of waste that needs to be disposed of. Fireworks, too, should be avoided, as they release smoke and particles into the air, contributing to air pollution.

Plant and grow trees

Trees are an effective way to improve air quality and reduce harmful pollutants in the atmosphere. They can help reduce urban air pollution in two main ways: dispersion and deposition.

Trees act as a natural barrier, intercepting and dispersing concentrated clouds of minuscule particles, diluting them in the air and reducing the risk of inhalation by humans. This is particularly effective in urban areas, where trees can reduce the warming effects of concrete and buildings, known as the urban heat island effect. Trees also provide shade, reducing the need for conventional air conditioning and the emissions associated with it.

Trees are also effective at removing pollutants from the air through deposition. The particles of harmful pollutants get trapped in the waxy, hairy leaves of trees and shrubs. When it rains, the water washes away these particles, carrying them into drains. The larger the canopy and leaves, the more particles can be trapped. Trees with rough, rugged, and hairy leaf surfaces are the most effective filters.

Trees can directly absorb gaseous pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, ammonia, and sulphur dioxide through their leaves, bark, and roots. They also absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, reducing the greenhouse effect and creating a more sustainable environment for future generations.

Planting and growing trees is, therefore, an excellent way to improve air quality and combat climate change. It is important to plant the right trees for the specific environment and ensure their protection, allowing them to grow and contribute to a healthier world.

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