Kiera Jefferson
Air pollution has serious ongoing health impacts, contributing to millions of premature deaths worldwide each year. While addressing this issue demands action from policymakers, there are steps that individuals can take to protect themselves from unhealthy air. This includes checking daily air pollution forecasts and staying indoors or reducing physical exertion when pollution levels are high. Other recommendations include using public transport, avoiding exposure to second-hand smoke, and keeping track of the air quality with apps.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Check air pollution forecasts | Check daily air pollution forecasts in your area. Colour-coded forecasts can be found on local radio and TV weather reports, newspapers and online at airnow.gov. |
| Limit outdoor exercise | Avoid exercising outdoors when pollution levels are high. Move your workout indoors or to a gym. |
| Reduce children's outdoor playtime | Limit the amount of time children spend playing outdoors if the air quality is unhealthy. |
| Reduce energy use | Generating electricity and other energy sources creates air pollution. Reducing energy use can help improve air quality and curb greenhouse gas emissions. |
| Stay indoors | On high air pollution days, stay indoors, reduce outdoor air infiltration, and limit physical exertion. |
| Use air filters | Clean indoor air with air filters. |
| Limit exposure to indoor pollutants | Reduce exposure to indoor pollutants such as volatile organic compounds from consumer products and building materials, and nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and particulate matter from indoor combustion activities such as cooking, wood burning, and smoking. |
| Avoid activities that increase pollution | Use public transport, carpool, and avoid burning refuse and garbage. |
| Stop smoking | If you are a smoker, quit. |
| Track air quality | Use apps like SAFAR to understand the worst-polluted areas and time periods of the day, and avoid these if possible. |
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What You'll Learn
Limit outdoor exercise when pollution levels are high
Air pollution is a major environmental health problem that affects people in low-, middle-, and high-income countries. Outdoor air pollution was estimated to cause 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide per year in 2019, with 89% of these occurring in low- and middle-income countries. The negative health impacts of air pollution are well-documented, with evidence suggesting that higher levels of particulates in the air are linked to increased hospitalizations for serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, pneumonia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation.
Given the harmful effects of air pollution, it is important to take steps to protect yourself and your family. One way to do this is by limiting outdoor exercise when pollution levels are high. Here are some tips to guide you:
- Check daily air pollution forecasts for your area: Stay informed about the air quality in your community by checking local radio and TV weather reports, newspapers, or online sources such as airnow.gov. Pay attention to the color-coded forecasts, which indicate the level of air pollution.
- Understand the health risks: Air pollution can have short-term and long-term effects on your health. Even moderate amounts of pollution can impact your breathing and respiratory system. For people with pre-existing conditions, such as respiratory or cardiovascular disease, even low-intensity activities like walking can intensify the negative impacts of air pollution.
- Adjust your exercise routine: When pollution levels are high, opt for indoor workouts instead. Consider joining a gym or exercising indoors at home. If you must exercise outdoors, try to do so early in the morning when air quality tends to be better, and avoid areas with heavy traffic to minimize your exposure to pollutants.
- Protect your children: Limit the amount of time your children spend playing outdoors when the air quality is unhealthy. Find indoor activities or alternative options to ensure their exposure to pollution is limited.
- Stay informed about AQI guidelines: The Environmental Protection Agency's Air Quality Index (AQI) provides valuable information about the air quality and health risks. Refer to the AQI to make informed decisions about your outdoor activities. Generally, it is recommended to limit outdoor exercise when the AQI exceeds 100.
- Seek alternative times and locations: If you miss your outdoor workouts, try to find alternative times and locations with better air quality. For example, consider exercising in areas with lower pollution levels or during times of the day when pollution levels are typically lower.
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Stay indoors and reduce indoor air infiltration
Staying indoors and limiting outdoor activities can help reduce exposure to harmful pollutants, especially during periods of high air pollution. This is particularly important for children, who should spend less time playing outdoors when air quality is unhealthy.
However, it's important to note that indoor air quality can also be affected by outdoor pollution. Airborne pollutants can enter homes through natural ventilation, mechanical means, or infiltration. Infiltration, also known as air leakage, is the unintentional introduction of outside air into a building through openings, joints, and cracks in walls, floors, and ceilings, as well as around windows and doors. This can lead to a build-up of indoor pollutants, especially if there is poor ventilation.
To reduce indoor air infiltration and improve air quality, it is recommended to seal any openings or cracks that allow outside air to enter the home. This can be done using simple products like house wraps, sealants, foams, and tapes. Additionally, proper ventilation is crucial to removing or diluting indoor airborne pollutants. While opening windows and doors can improve natural ventilation, it can also increase indoor air infiltration, especially if there are outdoor sources of pollution nearby, such as smoke or refuse.
To maintain good indoor air quality, it is important to eliminate individual sources of pollution or reduce their emissions. For example, gas stoves can be adjusted to decrease emissions. In some cases, sources like asbestos may need to be sealed or enclosed. Portable air cleaners or DIY air purifiers, such as the Corsi-Rosenthal Box, can also be used to remove airborne virus particles and particulate matter like smoke. However, it is important to note that these measures may not be effective against certain pollutants, such as radon or ozone.
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Avoid activities that increase pollution, e.g. burning refuse
Burning refuse, such as garbage, plastic, and painted or treated wood, is harmful to the environment and public health. The toxic chemicals released during burning, including nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and polycyclic organic matter (POMs), can pollute the air, soil, groundwater, lakes, rivers, and streams. These toxic chemicals can also be deposited on plants and crops, entering the human food chain through livestock and contaminated feed.
To avoid the need to burn trash, consider the following alternatives:
- Reduce waste by buying fewer items and selecting products with minimal packaging.
- Reuse and refill: Opt for reusable products and containers that can be refilled.
- Recycle: Learn about your community's recycling programs and properly dispose of recyclables.
- Compost plant-based kitchen and yard waste.
- Hire a sanitation service for proper waste disposal.
Additionally, when it comes to staying healthy in pollution, it is recommended to check daily air pollution forecasts and limit outdoor activities when pollution levels are high. Moving workouts indoors or to indoor locations like shopping malls or gyms can help reduce exposure to high pollution levels. It is also beneficial to support initiatives for cleaner transport, energy-efficient homes, and better waste management, which contribute to reducing outdoor air pollution.
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Manage chronic conditions affected by air pollution
Air pollution is a major threat to global health, causing more than 6.5 million deaths each year. It affects everyone, but certain groups are more vulnerable, including children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with pre-existing medical conditions.
Chronic conditions that can be affected by air pollution include respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. Air pollution can worsen symptoms, trigger attacks, and increase the risk of respiratory infections for people with these conditions. Additionally, air pollution is linked to an increased risk of lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases.
To manage these chronic conditions effectively, it is essential to limit exposure to air pollutants. Here are some strategies to consider:
- Avoid Pollution Sources: Stay away from known sources of air pollution, such as wood smoke, vehicle exhaust, tobacco smoke, and industrial emissions. Limit your time outdoors near busy roadways or on days when the air quality is poor.
- Monitor Air Quality: Keep yourself informed about the air quality in your area. Check air quality forecasts and alerts to plan your activities accordingly.
- Indoor Air Quality: Pay attention to indoor air quality, especially if you spend a significant amount of time indoors. Maintain good ventilation and address potential sources of indoor air pollution, such as mould, radon, or secondhand smoke.
- Medical Management: Work closely with your healthcare provider to effectively manage your chronic condition. Follow recommended treatments and guidelines for your specific condition, as this can help reduce the risk of adverse effects from air pollution.
- Nutrition and Lifestyle: A healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables can provide your body with essential nutrients and antioxidants to support overall health and potentially mitigate the impacts of air pollution. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and stress management, can also contribute to better health outcomes.
While individual actions can help reduce personal health risks, collective societal action to control emissions is crucial for effectively addressing the global issue of air pollution and protecting vulnerable populations.
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Advocate for cleaner air through policy changes
While individuals can take steps to reduce their exposure to unhealthy air, it is also important to advocate for policy changes that address air pollution at a systemic level. Here are some ways to advocate for cleaner air through policy changes:
- Support and engage in campaigns for cleaner air: Organisations like the American Lung Association lead the fight for healthy air through initiatives such as the Healthy Air Campaign. Get involved by sending messages to decision-makers, sharing your story, and staying informed about lung health and air quality. Collective action can make a significant difference in improving air quality.
- Contact your local and national representatives: Call or write to your representatives in government to express your concerns about air pollution and the need for stronger policies. Urge them to prioritise clean air and support legislation that addresses pollution sources, such as emissions from power plants, vehicles, and industrial operations.
- Stay informed and spread awareness: Educate yourself about the issues surrounding air pollution, its health impacts, and existing policies or campaigns. Share this knowledge with your community, friends, and family to raise awareness and encourage collective action. Knowledge is power, and by spreading awareness, you can help build momentum for policy changes.
- Advocate for environmental justice: Recognise that systemic racism drives disparities in exposure to air pollution, with communities of colour and low-income communities disproportionately affected. Support an integrated approach that addresses the underlying roots of these disparities and fosters health equity. Ensure that cleanup programs and investments prioritise these disproportionately burdened communities.
- Push for stronger air quality standards and regulations: Encourage policymakers to adopt and enforce stricter air quality standards, such as the World Health Organization's Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQG). These guidelines provide thresholds and targets for reducing key air pollutants and improving public health. Strong health protections and regulations are essential to safeguarding vulnerable populations from the adverse effects of air pollution.
- Support policies promoting cleaner technologies and energy sources: Advocate for policies that incentivise and promote the use of cleaner technologies and energy sources. This includes supporting investments in cleaner transport, energy-efficient homes, power generation, industry, and better municipal waste management. Encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, renewable energy sources, and improved air pollution control technology.
By advocating for policy changes and supporting initiatives that prioritise clean air, you can help address air pollution at its source and protect the health and well-being of communities worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
On days with high air pollution, it is recommended to stay indoors, reduce outdoor air infiltration into your home, clean indoor air with air filters, and limit physical exertion, especially outdoors and near sources of air pollution.
Exposure to air pollution has been linked to serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, pneumonia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation.
You can reduce your exposure to air pollution by using public transportation or carpooling, avoiding outdoor activities that increase pollution such as burning refuse and garbage, and supporting policies that promote cleaner transportation and energy-efficient homes.
