Air Pollution: Simple Steps To Breathe Cleaner Air

Air pollution is a pressing issue, with vehicles and equipment that emit pollutants being a leading source. To reduce air pollution, individuals can make conscious choices, such as driving less, carpooling, using public transportation, biking, or walking. Additionally, keeping vehicles well-maintained and opting for electric or hand-powered lawn equipment can also help. Conserving energy, using energy-efficient appliances, and reducing fireplace and wood stove use are other effective ways to contribute to cleaner air.

How to stop polluting the air

Reduce car usage: carpool, use public transport, walk or cycle instead

Vehicle exhaust is a major source of air pollution. To reduce air pollution, it is important to reduce car usage. Here are some ways to do that:

Carpool

Consider joining a carpool or starting one with your colleagues, friends, or neighbours. Carpooling reduces the number of cars on the road, which helps to decrease vehicle emissions. This is a great way to not only reduce air pollution but also to save money on fuel and reduce wear and tear on your vehicle. Carpooling can also be a great opportunity to socialise and build connections with others.

Use public transport

Public transportation, such as buses, trains, and subways, can significantly reduce air pollution by taking multiple cars off the road. Using public transport can also offer personal benefits such as reduced stress from driving, lower fuel costs, and more time to relax or be productive during the commute.

Walk or cycle

Whenever possible, consider walking or cycling instead of driving. Walking and cycling are zero-emission modes of transportation that can help improve air quality. They also provide health benefits, such as improved cardiovascular fitness, increased muscle strength, and reduced stress levels. Additionally, walking and cycling can help reduce traffic congestion and create a more livable and sustainable community.

Plan and combine trips

Plan your trips in advance and combine multiple errands into one journey. This helps to reduce the number of trips you make in your car, lowering your fuel consumption and emissions output. Planning your trips efficiently can also save you time and money.

Keep vehicles well-maintained

Ensure your vehicle is in good working condition and properly maintained. Regular servicing and timely repairs can improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. Keep your car's engines properly tuned, and make sure your tires are properly inflated. This will not only reduce air pollution but also improve your vehicle's performance and extend its lifespan.

Avoid burning fuel: limit fires, use electric equipment and appliances

Burning fuel is a major source of air pollution. To reduce air pollution, it is important to limit fires and opt for electric equipment and appliances instead.

Firstly, limit fires as much as possible. Smoke from fires can cause unhealthy conditions for people, especially those with asthma or other lung conditions. If you are having a fire, keep it small and brief, and only burn dry firewood. Do not burn leaves, trash, or other materials, and avoid using a fireplace or wood stove. In some places, it is illegal to burn waste in a fire, so check local regulations.

Another way to limit fires is to reduce the use of gas-powered equipment for lawn and garden chores. Instead, opt for electric or hand-powered lawn care equipment, which produces fewer emissions. For example, gas-powered small engines like those on lawnmowers and leaf or snow blowers often lack pollution control devices, so switching to electric or hand-powered alternatives can significantly reduce pollution.

In addition to limiting fires, it is important to reduce the use of fuel-powered vehicles, as vehicle exhaust is a major source of air pollution. Consider driving electric cars, carpooling, using public transportation, biking, or walking whenever possible. Keep your car well-maintained and ensure that your tires are properly inflated to improve fuel efficiency.

Finally, conserve electricity and switch to energy-efficient appliances and LED lighting. Turn off lights, computers, and appliances when not in use, and consider getting a programmable thermostat to save money and energy.

Conserve energy: turn off appliances, use energy-efficient products

Conserving energy is a great way to reduce air pollution. This can be done by turning off appliances and using energy-efficient products.

Turning off appliances is a simple way to conserve energy and reduce air pollution. When you are not using something, turn it off. This includes lights, computers, and other electrical appliances. It all adds up, and these small changes can make a big difference.

Using energy-efficient products is another effective way to reduce energy consumption and air pollution. When purchasing new appliances, look for the ENERGY STAR label. This ensures that the product meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Energy-efficient products use less energy to function, reducing the demand for electricity, which is often generated by burning fossil fuels—a major source of air pollution.

You can also reduce your energy consumption by adjusting your thermostat. Install a programmable thermostat to save money and energy. Set your air conditioner no lower than 78 degrees. Additionally, consider getting an energy audit and following the advice provided. This can help you identify areas where you can conserve energy and make more sustainable choices.

Another way to conserve energy and reduce air pollution is to limit the use of gasoline-powered equipment. Opt for electric or hand-powered lawn and garden equipment instead of gas-powered alternatives. Gas-powered small engines, like those on lawnmowers, leaf blowers, and snow blowers, often lack pollution control devices, emitting harmful pollutants into the air.

By turning off appliances, choosing energy-efficient products, adjusting thermostats, getting energy audits, and limiting the use of gasoline-powered equipment, you can significantly contribute to reducing air pollution and creating a more sustainable future.

Maintain your car: keep engines tuned, fix exhaust issues, check tyre pressure

Motor vehicles are a significant contributor to air pollution, especially in urban areas. However, there are several ways to reduce the environmental impact of your car. Firstly, keeping your engine properly tuned is essential. Modern cars are designed with complex emission controls to minimise pollution, but if these controls malfunction, your vehicle will pollute more. Therefore, it is important to address any issues indicated by your dashboard and take your car for repairs or maintenance as needed.

Secondly, fixing exhaust issues is crucial. Exhaust fumes contain harmful substances such as nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, benzene, formaldehyde, and particulate matter. To mitigate this, modern cars are equipped with catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters. These filters reduce the number of harmful particles emitted into the atmosphere. However, if your car is an older model, it may lack these pollution-reducing features. In that case, consider upgrading to a newer, cleaner vehicle if possible.

Thirdly, regularly checking your tyre pressure and keeping your tyres properly inflated is important for reducing particle pollution. Tyre wear produces almost 2,000 times more particle pollution than exhaust emissions, and these particles contain toxic organic compounds and carcinogens. Properly inflated tyres will make your vehicle more efficient, reducing fuel consumption and associated emissions. You can find the recommended tyre pressure for your vehicle in the owner's manual.

In addition to these measures, there are other ways to reduce the environmental impact of your car. For example, observing speed limits and accelerating gradually can lower fuel consumption and emissions. Additionally, reducing the number of trips you take in your car, carpooling, or opting for public transportation, walking, or biking when possible can significantly decrease vehicle pollution.

Avoid idling: skip the drive-thru, park and go inside

One of the best ways to reduce air pollution is to avoid idling your car engine. Idling is when a driver leaves the engine running while the vehicle is parked. Every day in the U.S., millions of cars and trucks idle needlessly, and an idling car can release as much pollution as a moving car.

Avoiding the drive-thru is a great way to reduce idling. Instead, park and go inside the restaurant to order. This is better for the environment, and it's also more efficient if you're unsure of what you want to order, or if you're paying separately from friends. If you're sitting in the drive-thru for 15 minutes, you can burn a quarter of a gallon of gas, but a warm engine only takes around 10 seconds' worth of fuel to restart.

If you're waiting to pick someone up, or you're stuck in slow-moving traffic, turn off your ignition if you're stopped for more than 10 seconds. It's also healthier to get out of your car and go inside a store or building if you're parked and waiting, as you'll be breathing in less of the dirty exhaust that leaks into the car cabin.

To reduce air pollution further, consider other ways to avoid idling. For example, carpool, use public transportation, bike, or walk whenever possible. Keep your car well-maintained, with properly inflated tires, and avoid unnecessary trips.

Frequently asked questions