Simple Ways To Help Fight Air Pollution

Air pollution is a serious global health problem that requires collective action to control emissions of primary and secondary air pollutants. While it is important to wait for governments to implement policies that reduce emissions, individuals can take several steps to reduce their exposure to air pollution and associated health risks. This includes reducing energy use, using eco-friendly transportation, avoiding the burning of trash and using environmentally safe products.

Reduce car usage, opt for eco-friendly modes of transportation

To help combat air pollution, one of the most effective things an individual can do is reduce their car usage and opt for eco-friendly modes of transportation. This is especially important given that vehicle exhaust is a major source of air pollution.

One way to achieve this is by embracing active transportation, such as walking or biking, for shorter distances. Not only is this good for the environment, but it also has the added benefit of improving your health. For longer distances, public transportation is a great alternative. By choosing buses, trains, or other forms of mass transit, you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint. In fact, studies have shown that a person who switches from a 20-mile solo commute by car to public transportation can cut their annual CO2 emissions by over 48,000 pounds. That's the same as taking 395 cars off the road for a year!

Another way to reduce car usage is by carpooling. Sharing rides with colleagues, friends, or neighbours helps to decrease traffic congestion and lower per-person emissions. If you must use a car, consider purchasing a more fuel-efficient vehicle. Electric or hybrid cars are excellent options, as they produce fewer emissions and are generally more cost-effective to fuel and maintain. Additionally, maintaining your vehicle properly, such as keeping your tires inflated correctly and getting regular tune-ups, can also reduce your environmental impact.

Finally, it's worth considering the broader impact of reducing car usage. With fewer cars on the road, there's a need for fewer roads, which helps prevent water runoff and ground and water pollution. Additionally, less driving contributes to quieter neighbourhoods, improving the overall quality of life for everyone. So, the next time you need to travel, consider leaving your car behind and opting for a more eco-friendly mode of transportation instead.

Conserve electricity, set ACs at a higher temperature

Conserving electricity is a great way to help reduce air pollution. One way to do this is by being mindful of your air conditioning usage.

Firstly, it is important to note that the ideal room temperature for the human body is 24 degrees Celsius. This is the optimum temperature as per the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). Setting your air conditioning to this temperature will reduce electricity consumption and keep your machinery in good condition. Many people believe that setting the thermostat at 18 degrees will cool down a room faster, but this is a common misconception. The room will take the same amount of time to reach 26 degrees, whether the thermostat is set at 18 or 24 degrees.

Additionally, each degree increase in the AC temperature can save about 3-6% of electricity. This can result in substantial savings on your electricity bill. For example, increasing your AC temperature from 18 to 27 degrees can help you save around ₹6,240 in a year, as well as conserve 960kWh of energy.

To further conserve electricity, try not to keep your air conditioning on all day. Instead, keep it on for a couple of hours and then switch it off for one or two hours. The room will remain cool, and you will save electricity. Using a fan alongside your air conditioning can also help circulate cool air more effectively, reducing the load on your AC.

Finally, regular servicing of your AC unit can improve its efficiency, as the machine will be cleaned and working well. This will reduce energy consumption and lower your electricity bill.

Avoid using gas-powered lawn equipment

Gas-powered lawn equipment, such as lawnmowers, leaf blowers, and snow blowers, are significant contributors to air pollution. These small engines often lack pollution control devices, and an hour of running a lawnmower can produce as much pollution as a 100-mile car trip. Therefore, avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn equipment is a crucial step towards improving air quality.

One alternative to gas-powered lawn equipment is to switch to electric or battery-powered options. Electric lawn care equipment is becoming increasingly popular, with many cities and states adopting policies to mitigate the pollution and noise generated by their gas-powered counterparts. For example, the state of California banned the commercial sale of all gas-powered lawn equipment in 2024, and other local governments are offering tax breaks, rebates, and waivers for electric lawn equipment. Electric lawn equipment is not only more environmentally friendly but also often quieter and easier to operate.

Battery-powered lawn mowers, in particular, have made significant advancements in recent years. When choosing a battery-powered lawn mower, look for one with a long battery life and easy-to-use controls. The Ryobi 40V 21-inch Cordless Walk Behind Lawn Mower, for instance, is a popular choice for small to medium-sized lawns. It features a turbo mode for tackling heavy or damp grass and offers bagging, mulching, and side discharge options. For larger areas or towing needs, the Ego Power+ T6 is a powerful option with six 56V batteries and two brushless motors, providing exceptional cutting power and speed.

In addition to electric and battery-powered options, hand-powered lawn equipment is another eco-friendly alternative. While hand-powered tools may require more physical effort, they are a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable option. Examples of hand-powered lawn equipment include manual push lawn mowers, rakes, and garden shears. By switching to hand-powered tools, you can not only reduce air pollution but also get some exercise and improve your physical health.

By avoiding gas-powered lawn equipment and exploring alternative options, individuals can play a crucial role in reducing air pollution and creating a cleaner, healthier environment for themselves and their communities. Small changes in our daily choices can collectively make a significant impact on the planet.

Use environmentally safe paints and cleaning products

To help reduce air pollution, one can encourage the use of environmentally safe paints and cleaning products. Traditional paints contain toxic ingredients that are harmful to both the environment and human health. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are a common ingredient in paints and are considered hazardous air pollutants. VOCs react with oxygen in the atmosphere, forming ozone, a major contributor to global warming and the toxic component of smog, which is harmful to lung tissue even in small amounts.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified these toxic threats, and federal, state, and local environmental agencies regulate VOC content in paint. However, with the vast amount of paint being used, it is impossible for agencies to monitor every application. Therefore, the EPA focuses on controlling the ingredients in the product rather than the user.

To reduce the environmental and health impact of paint, individuals can opt for environmentally safe alternatives, such as milk paint, which has low or no VOC content, is made from natural ingredients, and is biodegradable. These paints are safe for use in homes and businesses, offering a high-quality finish without the negative consequences. Before painting, it is also essential to determine if the area truly needs repainting or if cleaning the existing surface is sufficient.

In addition to paint, cleaning products can also contribute to air pollution. Solvents with high VOC levels are often required for cleaning and maintaining painted surfaces, leading to harmful emissions. By choosing cleaning products with low or no VOCs, individuals can further reduce their impact on air pollution.

By making conscious choices and selecting environmentally safe paints and cleaning products, individuals can play a crucial role in reducing air pollution and protecting their health and the environment.

Plant and care for trees to filter pollutants

Trees are often referred to as the "lungs" of an ecosystem because they absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen. They also act as the ecosystem's "liver", filtering atmospheric pollutants like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide through their leaves.

Trees improve air quality in two main ways: dispersion and deposition. Dispersion occurs when concentrated clouds of minuscule particles crash into trees and plants, causing them to be dispersed and diluted by the air, reducing the risk of inhalation by humans. Deposition refers to when particulate matter (PM) gets trapped in the waxy, hairy leaves of trees and shrubs. When it rains, the particles are washed away.

To make the most difference in air quality, it's important to plant the right types of trees. Bigger canopies and larger leaves can trap more particles, and leaves with rough, rugged and hairy surfaces act as the “best filters”. For example, London plane trees emit high levels of volatile organic compounds, which can be bad for urban air pollution.

Trees also improve air quality indirectly by providing shade and reducing temperatures. This reduces the need for conventional air conditioning and the emissions of greenhouse gases that come with it. Lower temperatures also decrease the risk of harmful pollutants like ground-level ozone, which commonly spike on hot days in urban areas.

To help combat air pollution, individuals can get involved in reforestation efforts, such as by using the Ecosia search engine, which uses ad revenue to plant trees in deforested landscapes.

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