Controlling Air Pollution: Strategies For Cleaner Outdoor Spaces

Outdoor air pollution is a pressing issue that demands action from both individuals and policymakers. While some sources of outdoor air pollution are beyond the control of individuals, there are still steps that can be taken to reduce pollution and protect yourself and your family from its dangers. This includes checking daily air pollution forecasts, limiting outdoor activities when pollution levels are high, and reducing the use of cars and gas-powered equipment.

Check daily air pollution forecasts in your area

Checking daily air pollution forecasts in your area is a good way to keep yourself and your family safe from the dangers of outdoor air pollution. Sources for this information include local radio and TV weather reports, newspapers, and online at airnow.gov. The forecasts are colour-coded to indicate when the air is unhealthy in your community. You can use this information to plan your day and reduce your exposure to air pollution. For example, if the air quality is poor, you can move your workout indoors, and limit the amount of time your child spends playing outdoors. Even if the air quality forecasts are good, it's best to avoid exercising near high-traffic areas, as vehicles on busy highways can create high pollution levels nearby.

While it's important to take individual action to protect yourself from air pollution, it's also worth remembering that most sources of outdoor air pollution are beyond the control of individuals. This demands concerted action by local, national, and regional policymakers working in sectors like energy, transport, waste management, urban planning, and agriculture.

Avoid exercising outdoors when pollution levels are high

While it is important to stay active, it is also crucial to be mindful of air pollution levels when planning your workouts. Checking daily air pollution forecasts in your area can help you make informed decisions about when and where to exercise. If pollution levels are high, it is advisable to move your workout indoors. This could involve walking in a shopping mall or using a gym, ensuring you still get your daily exercise while minimising your exposure to unhealthy air.

Limiting outdoor exercise when pollution levels are high is especially important for children, as they are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution. Reducing the time they spend playing outdoors when air quality is poor can help protect their developing lungs and overall health.

It is also worth noting that even on days when the air quality forecasts are favourable, it is best to avoid exercising near high-traffic areas. Vehicles on busy highways can create high pollution levels nearby, so opting for alternative routes or locations for your outdoor workouts can make a significant difference in the quality of the air you breathe.

Additionally, consider the type of equipment you use for lawn care and gardening. Gasoline-powered equipment, such as lawnmowers and leaf blowers, contribute to air pollution. Opting for hand-powered or electric alternatives can help reduce emissions and create a healthier outdoor environment for everyone.

By being mindful of air pollution levels and making small adjustments to your exercise routine, you can effectively reduce your exposure to unhealthy air and protect your health.

Take public transportation or bike/walk to reduce ozone levels

While most sources of outdoor air pollution are beyond the control of individuals, there are still some steps that can be taken to reduce it. One of the most effective ways to reduce ozone levels is to take public transportation or bike/walk to your destination instead of driving. This can make a big impact on air quality and, according to the WHO, can also help to reduce physical inactivity, which causes one million deaths per year in the European Region.

Significant shifts towards walking and cycling can address problems resulting from current transport patterns, including the emission of air pollutants, greenhouse gases, and noise. Schools should be safely reachable by walking and biking, and children should learn about the importance of regular exercise and the environmental impacts of traffic.

Reducing car dependency through better land use and urban planning, efficient public transport, and disincentivizing driving can lead to more walking and cycling. This can be achieved by investing in policies that promote safe cycling and walking, which can play a crucial role in shaping health, mitigating climate change, and improving the environment.

Additionally, you can reduce the number of trips you take in your car and limit the time your child spends playing outdoors when air quality is unhealthy.

Plant and care for trees

Planting and caring for trees is one of the most effective ways to improve air quality. Trees absorb toxic chemicals, such as nitrogen oxides, ammonia and sulfur dioxide, through their leaves and pores, filtering them from the air. They also reduce ground-level ozone and release oxygen.

Trees can be planted in cities to provide shade and reduce the ambient temperature through the cooling effect of evaporation of water from the soil and leaves. This is especially important during heatwaves. Trees also remove some particulate pollution from the air by catching tiny particles on their leaf surfaces. Research has found significantly lower asthma rates among children aged 4-5 in areas with more street trees.

Trees also reduce energy consumption in buildings, particularly for temperature control, which in turn reduces the consumption of energy from polluting sources. The world's forests absorb a third of global emissions every year, so it is important to protect existing trees and plant new ones.

Native trees are particularly beneficial as they provide vital homes for wildlife, supporting biodiversity.

Talk with school officials about how buses can reduce idling while loading and unloading

While outdoor air pollution is largely beyond the control of individuals, there are still steps that can be taken to reduce it. One way to do this is to talk with school officials about how buses can reduce idling while loading and unloading.

School bus idling leads to wasted fuel and increased emissions, which can have negative health impacts for people near the buses, especially schoolchildren. To reduce this, bus engines should be turned off immediately after arriving at loading or unloading areas. The school bus should not be restarted until it is ready to depart, and idling during early morning warm-ups should be limited to the manufacturer's recommendation (generally no more than five minutes).

To support schools in reducing bus idling, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed the Idle-Free Schools Toolkit for a Healthy School Environment. This includes a sample School Bus Idling Policy that schools can use as a model. The policy should include the following: buses should typically be moving whenever the engine is on; engines should be turned off quickly after arriving at loading or unloading areas; buses should not be restarted until they are ready to depart; and morning warm-up idling time should be limited to manufacturers' recommendations.

To maximise the success of an idling reduction policy, it is important to effectively train bus drivers on idle reduction policies and spot-check bus depots, loading, unloading, and delivery areas for idling compliance. Schools should also educate drivers and give recognition to those who reduce idling times. This can include discouraging drivers from following directly behind other school buses or large vehicles, especially if they are emitting visible smoke, and retrofitting existing buses with pollution controls and idle reduction devices.

By implementing these measures, schools can play an important role in reducing outdoor air pollution and protecting the health of students and staff.

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