1. Reduce Your Contribution
- Manage waste - Minimize emissions from your waste–compost food and garden items, recycle non-organic trash if available, reuse grocery bags and dispose of remaining trash by local collection. Never burn trash as this contributes directly to air pollution.
- Cook and heat clean - Burning coal and biomass (e.g. wood) contributes to household air pollution when used for cooking and outdoor air pollution when used for heating. Check efficiency ratings for home heating systems and cookstoves to use models that save money and protect health.
- Move mindfully - Use public transportation, cycling or walking to get around. Consider low or no emission vehicles if a car is necessary. Diesel vehicles, particularly older ones, are large contributors of black carbon which are carcinogenic for health and damaging to our climate.
- Conserve energy - Turn off lights and electronics not in use. Use LED bulbs, if available, as a non-toxic alternative to CFLs, which contain mercury. Rooftop thermal solar systems may be an option for many to generate hot water affordably and photovoltaic systems can be a clean and healthy source of power.
- Call for change - Call on local leaders to adopt national air quality standards that meet WHO guidelines. Support policies that strengthen emissions standards and provide incentives for purchase of cleaner vehicles, low-energy appliances and energy-efficient housing.
2. Minimize your exposure
- Monitor your air - Check local air pollution levels each day and be aware of guidance from city or national authorities, to determine whether to limit outdoor activity or avoid hotspots where air pollution levels may be elevated.
- Time outdoor activity - Shift regular outdoor activity away from times when air pollution levels are highest. In many cities, pollution peaks at late morning and early evening during rush hour traffic.
- Know your surroundings - There is considerable evidence that children and adults living, or spending considerable time near busy highways may be more vulnerable to certain air pollution-related ailments.
- Avoid heavy traffic - Avoid driving during peak times and keep windows closed while in traffic, as some research suggests that nearby exhaust can increase air pollution levels inside your car.
- Assess your risk - Determine with your doctor if any existing conditions make you more susceptible to air pollution so you can more effectively balance the risks and benefits of future exposure.
- Use effective protection - If a face mask is advised where you live, consult with credible sources to be sure it has a strong enough filter. Many face masks do not filter fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and under) which is among the most harmful.
