Air pollution is an ever-increasing problem that necessitates attention at multiple levels. While air pollution impacts all living things, certain populations such as young children, the elderly and people suffering from heart or lung conditions are especially sensitive.
Industrial emissions and fossil fuel combustion are two primary causes of air pollution created by humans, including some emissions that also function as greenhouse gases.
Use Energy Efficient Appliances
Energy efficient appliances are one way to address air pollution while saving on electricity costs simultaneously. By using less gasoline, natural gas, and electricity (power plants use fossil fuels to produce electricity), air pollutant emissions decrease; when compact fluorescent light bulbs replace incandescent lights with compact fluorescent lamps instead, this helps decrease air pollution production and pollution by eliminating the need to generate power for lighting needs.
Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxides are one of the primary contributors to global warming and air pollution. These greenhouse gases act like an insulating material by trapping heat from the Sun within Earth’s atmosphere – leading to gradual warming as a result of what’s known as “the greenhouse effect”.
Air pollutants pose serious threats to human health, from damaging buildings, crops and vegetation to aggravating respiratory illness and producing smoke or haze that reduces visibility; some even contribute to acid rain, damaging waterways while killing fish and plants in waterways.
Reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and switching to renewable energy sources is an effective first step toward combatting air pollution, but there are other steps we can take as well. Reduce driving and take public transit or ride a bike; decrease emissions; or encourage schools to purchase low emission school buses as an additional measure.
Finally, be sure to periodically consult the EPA’s AirNow index and take preventative steps when levels become excessive – for instance avoiding outdoor exercise and driving when ozone levels are high, showering frequently and washing clothes to rid yourself of pollutants that might remain.
Switch to Renewable Energy Sources
Fossil fuels have had devastating consequences for our planet and its inhabitants, from climate change to air pollution causing serious respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses in humans and pets alike. Certain groups such as infants/children, older adults and people living with preexisting conditions are particularly impacted.
Utilizing renewable energy sources is one of the best ways to fight air pollution. Wind and solar power do not generate PM2.5 particles or contribute to ground-level ozone production, while decreasing nitrogen oxides which play a part in rising ozone levels; furthermore, renewables don’t raise carbon dioxide levels as significantly.
Switching to renewables can help lower air pollution by decreasing energy consumption and encouraging energy independence, as well as creating jobs and supporting local economies that would otherwise rely on fossil fuels – for instance solar panels need humans to install them while wind farms require technicians for maintenance purposes.
Other ways of combatting air pollution include recycling, carpooling and taking public transportation where possible. Green building techniques seek to build buildings as environmentally responsible as possible. Finally, monitoring air quality allows one to identify peak points of pollution and take measures accordingly.
Air pollution poses a global threat to human health and must be tackled. Switching to renewable energy is one effective solution to decrease pollution, protect health, and curb climate change. Now is the time for action and embrace a clean energy revolution!
Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a heat-trapping greenhouse gas produced naturally in our atmosphere. Human activities, including deforestation and burning fossil fuels, increase its levels in our airshed, raising Earth temperatures and altering climate. Breeze Technologies provides carbon dioxide sensors to monitor greenhouse gas levels in the environment.
Pollutant gases that pose health hazards to humans and contribute to air pollution include sulphur oxides (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), black carbon and ozone. SO2 and NOx emissions result from combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas; they’re also released during smelting operations using minerals containing sulfur such as copper, gold and nickel ores. PM2.5 fine particles pose severe lung and cardiovascular health threats and are produced from diesel engines or found in wood-burning stoves/fireplace smoke emissions.
Pollutants found in air are linked to the deaths of an estimated 4.2 million people annually worldwide, especially in low and middle income countries. Most deaths attributed to ambient (outdoor) and indoor air pollution occur from stroke, heart disease, chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma or allergy and asthma; cancer risk increases along with symptoms worsening further exacerbated by existing conditions; therefore implementing plans to decrease air pollutants will improve both quality of life and health outcomes in communities around the globe.
Avoid Smoking
Air pollution is dangerous for everyone, particularly those suffering from asthma or other respiratory conditions. Air pollutants contain microscopic particles which irritate eyes, throats and lungs as well as cause heart attacks, bronchitis and other serious health problems – even leading to premature deaths in some cases.
Though laws and regulations have greatly decreased toxic chemical levels in the air, more work must be done. Many countries still suffer from poor air quality despite legal efforts; but we all can contribute individually by taking certain actions to improve it.
For example, when air quality is poor we could opt for alternate transportation such as cycling or public transit rather than driving our cars. We could also purchase products less harmful to the environment such as organic foods and energy-saving appliances; additionally we could install a HEPA filter at home and keep windows closed during times of high smoke pollution levels.
Maintaining awareness of air quality in your area is also essential, with several websites like AirNow from the Environmental Protection Agency offering comprehensive information about current air quality levels. If the Air Quality Index (AQI) reading is unhealthy, outdoor activities should be avoided where traffic congestion exists – this applies particularly when driving near schools or roads are congested. If you must venture outside, wear a mask or respirator, such as the N95, to reduce how much smoke enters your lungs. A respirator will trap small particles of smoke and pollutants. Other ways of decreasing emissions include switching from gas-powered lawnmowers and leaf blowers to hand-powered alternatives, and avoiding craft supplies that release volatile chemicals, such as benzene which has been known to cause eye and skin irritation and lead to liver disease over time.
Wear Green Clothing
Air pollution poses serious threats to human health – particularly in urban environments – while also impacting negatively upon the environment through acid rain that damages soil and causes diseases in plants.
Change our daily habits in order to minimize these adverse environmental effects. Use less energy, use public transit or cycling more, purchase local foods and avoid harmful chemicals in household products are all ways we can reduce pollution production.
When purchasing clothing, look for organic cotton and silk fabrics to minimize exposure to harmful chemical dyes. Furthermore, buying American-made garments may be preferable. Also seek garments with less packaging waste in mind.
Pollution has become one of the leading causes of death around the globe, killing more people each year than malaria and tuberculosis combined.
AirNow can make it easier to identify whether the air you breathe is clean, so when its Air Quality Index (AQI) rises it may be beneficial to restrict outdoor activities or stay inside as much as possible.
Air pollution is a global crisis, but there are ways you can take steps to combat it. By making simple changes we can have an impactful and positive influence on people’s lives while contributing to saving the environment. For more information about becoming eco-friendly visit our blog.
