Ways to Reduce Air Pollution

10 Easy Steps for Cleaner Air

1. Walk, bike, carpool, or take public transit.
2. Reduce heating needs by making your house more energy efficient.
3. Say no to wood fire burning.
4. Use hand-powered or battery-operated garden tools.
5. Know before you go.
6. Check your tire pressure.
7. Reduce, reuse, and recycle!
8. Be idle-free.

At home:

1. Use low watt bulbs or energy-saving lights.
2. Limit the use of air conditioning units and keep the temperature a few degrees higher.
3. Don’t burn garbage.
4. Avoid using aerosols.
5. Properly dispose of refrigerant, refrigeration equipment, and used coolant.

1. Riding a bike or walking instead of driving.
2. Taking a bus or carpooling.
3. Buying a car that has greater fuel efficiency.
4. Turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use.
5. Using energy efficient light bulbs and appliances.
6. Buying fewer things that are manufactured using fossil fuels.

On Days when High Particle Levels are Expected, Take these Extra Steps to Reduce Pollution:

1. Reduce the number of trips you take in your car.
2. Reduce or eliminate fireplace and wood stove use.
3. Avoid burning leaves, trash, and other materials.
4. Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.

• Burning of fossil fuels: Sulfur dioxide released by the burning of fossil fuels like coal, petroleum is the major cause of air pollution.
• Agricultural activities:
• Exhaust from factories and industries:
• Mining operations:

Long-term health effects from air pollution include heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases such as emphysema. Air pollution can also cause long-term damage to people’s nerves, brain, kidneys, liver, and other organs.

The groups most affected by air pollution are people of color, elderly residents, children with uncontrolled asthma, and people living in poverty. Vulnerable populations may experience more health effects because these populations already have higher rates of heart and lung conditions.

What country has the worst air quality?