Green Initiatives: Reducing Air Pollution Through Action

Air pollution is a serious global health issue that requires collective action to control emissions of primary air pollutants and precursors that react to form secondary air pollutants. While waiting for systemic change, individuals can take action to reduce their personal contribution to air pollution and limit their exposure to harmful pollutants. This includes driving less, using public transportation, carpooling, walking, or biking whenever possible. When driving, it is important to keep your vehicle well-maintained and your tires properly inflated. It is also recommended to limit idling and to avoid burning garbage or firewood. At home, individuals can reduce energy consumption, choose sustainable products, and eliminate exposure to chemicals by using energy-efficient appliances, opting for natural substitutes to toxic chemicals, and using hand-powered or electric lawn equipment. Additionally, individuals can support clean air legislation and advocate for policies that prioritize clean air.

Switch to electric or hand-powered lawn equipment

Gas-powered lawn equipment such as lawnmowers and leaf blowers often lack pollution control devices. Running a lawn mower for an hour can produce the same amount of pollution as a 100-mile car trip. Small off-road engines (SOREs) that power most lawn equipment release large quantities of air pollution, including emitting one-third of the gas and oil that goes into the engine as an aerosolized exhaust mixture. In the US, gas-powered mowers contribute to 5% of the country's air pollution, with an even greater impact in urban areas.

To reduce air pollution, individuals can switch to electric or hand-powered lawn equipment. While electric mowers used to be eschewed because of a higher cost and limited battery life, there are now more affordable, long-lasting options for homeowners. Although a good quality electric mower will cost more money on average, over a 10-year lifespan, the cost will even out due to reduced fuel and maintenance expenses. Electric mowers are also lower maintenance, easier to store, and do not have a cord. They produce no emissions, which is immensely beneficial to the environment.

If purchasing an electric mower is inaccessible, people can opt for hand-powered yard tools, which are also cheaper and easier to maintain than their gas-powered counterparts.

Avoid burning wood or trash

Burning wood, trash, or other materials releases toxic gases and smoke, which contain vapours and particulate matter. These pollutants can be very irritating to people's health, causing eye and nose irritation, coughing, headaches, and breathing difficulties. People with heart disease, asthma, emphysema, or other respiratory diseases are especially vulnerable to these air pollutants.

• Do not burn trash: Avoid burning household garbage, plastic, leaves, or construction material such as treated wood products or particle board. Instead, opt for composting, mulching, recycling, or other garbage disposal options.
• Use alternative heating methods: Switch to cleaner heating devices such as EPA-certified wood stoves, fireplace inserts, or indoor wood-burning stoves manufactured after 1992. These appliances meet EPA efficiency standards, emitting 85% less smoke and pollution while requiring 30% less wood to heat.
• Choose cleaner fuels: If you must burn fuel to heat your home, opt for natural gas stoves and heaters, which have lower particle pollution emissions than wood-burning devices. Alternatively, choose pellets or dry wood, which can burn cleaner and more efficiently than other types of wood.
• Regulate residential burning: Educate yourself about state and local burning laws and regulations. For example, some places prohibit the burning of wet cardboard, plastics, oily substances, rubber products, and asphalt.
• Properly maintain wood-burning appliances: Ensure that your wood stoves are properly installed and regularly swept. Increase chimney height, provide ample oxygen by keeping the flue open, and only burn clean, dry, untreated wood.
• Support local regulations: Encourage your local government to implement and enforce regulations on leaf burning, waterstoves, and other sources of air pollution from residential burning.
• Promote community awareness: Educate your community about the dangers of burning wood and trash, and provide alternatives such as composting or recycling programs.

By following these guidelines, we can significantly reduce air pollution and create a healthier environment for ourselves and those around us, especially those with respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.

Reduce car use

Reducing car use is one of the most effective ways to improve air quality. In the US, vehicles are a primary source of air pollution, and in the UK, 80% of roadside nitrogen dioxide air pollution comes from road transport.

Walk or Cycle

Where possible, walk or cycle to your destination. This is a great way to reduce air pollution as these forms of transport emit zero pollutants. Walking and cycling also have the added benefit of improving your health and fitness.

Public Transport

For longer distances, opt for public transport such as buses or trains. Public transport helps to reduce congestion on the roads and also reduces your individual carbon footprint. CO2 emissions per passenger for trains and coaches are, on average, six to eight times lower than car travel.

Carpooling

If public transport is not an option, consider carpooling with friends or colleagues. Carpooling will not only reduce the number of cars on the road but will also save you money on fuel.

Work from Home

If your job allows it, work from home periodically to cut down on your commute. This will not only reduce air pollution but also save you time and money.

Choose Fuel-Efficient Vehicles

When purchasing a car, opt for fuel-efficient vehicles with low greenhouse gas emissions. Electric, hybrid, and compact fuel-efficient gas vehicles are all great options that will help reduce your carbon footprint.

Maintain Your Vehicle

Regularly service your car to ensure it is running as efficiently as possible. Keep your tires properly inflated and follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule. This will not only reduce air pollution but will also save you money on fuel.

By implementing these simple changes, we can all play a part in improving air quality and creating a cleaner, healthier environment for everyone.

Use public transport

Using public transport is a great way to reduce air pollution and its harmful effects on the environment and our health. Here are some reasons why:

Reduce Carbon Emissions and Air Pollution

Public transport helps to reduce carbon emissions and air pollution, leading to better air quality. When compared to driving alone, taking public transportation reduces CO2 emissions by 45%. Shared mobility solutions, such as buses, trains, and carpooling, contribute to a significant decrease in pollutants in the atmosphere.

Improve Health

Improved air quality has a positive impact on people's health. It can lead to fewer cases of respiratory issues like asthma and even cancer. Additionally, people are more inclined to engage in outdoor physical activities when the air quality is better, promoting a healthier lifestyle.

Reduce Congestion and Noise Pollution

Fewer cars on the road mean less congestion and noise pollution. This makes neighbourhoods quieter and more pleasant for everyone. It also reduces the need for building more roads, which can cause water runoff and contribute to ground and water pollution.

Save Money and Resources

Public transport is often cheaper than driving and parking a car. It also saves fuel and reduces fuel dependency. In the US, public transportation saves the equivalent of 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline annually and prevents the need for 300,000 automobile fill-ups every day.

Encourage Active Travel

By encouraging walking and cycling for shorter distances and using public transport for longer journeys, we can reduce the number of cars on the road. This leads to less congestion and, consequently, less pollution.

Overall, using public transport is a simple and effective way to reduce air pollution and its associated environmental and health issues. It is a more sustainable option that benefits both individuals and the planet.

Keep car engines properly tuned

Keeping car engines properly tuned is an important way to reduce air pollution. Here are some ways to do this:

Regular Tune-Ups and Maintenance

It is important to get regular tune-ups and follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule. This includes getting oil changes and using the recommended motor oil. By keeping your car well-maintained, you can ensure it is running as clean and efficiently as possible.

Check Engine Light

If the "check engine" light comes on, it means your vehicle is not operating as designed and needs repairs or maintenance. Take your car to a qualified automotive technician to get it checked out.

Proper Tire Inflation

Keeping your tires properly inflated makes your vehicle run more efficiently and burn less fuel. You can find the correct tire pressure for your car in the owner's manual.

Driving Habits

The way you drive can also impact your vehicle's emissions. Observing posted speed limits and accelerating gradually can help reduce pollution. Going easy on the accelerator and maintaining a steady speed can also make a difference.

Reduce Idling

Unnecessary idling of vehicles pollutes the air, wastes fuel, and causes excess engine wear. Modern vehicles do not need to "warm up" in the winter, so there is no need to turn on the engine until you are ready to drive.

Frequently asked questions