¿What Can I Do To Reduce Air Pollution?

We know that air pollution is generated by large types of chemical compounds in the air, with the ability to damage our health, these compounds are produced in many actions of daily life; from industry to nature, its sources and consequences are lots, harming animals, plants and millions of humans worldwide, leads us to the question ¿what can I do to reduce air pollution? (At least in part). 

Well, it must be considered that the products and services of the large industries are a great need for people such as transport, food, health, among others; industries are the biggest sources of pollutants and we can´t do nothing, we need their products. The problem in the industry comes from the scientific development of the company and the product, not the industry itself; because if its developers had been concerned or known about the adequate development of processes that consider caring for the environment, current world conditions would be different, they did not foresee possible environmental effects with their industrial actions, now these actions are too attached to our humanity. 

Other facts are the industries that include harmful processes in their products, prioritizing economic income over the health of their customers and the environment, normally neither users nor regulators are aware of the infringements of these companies, so we have little scope in this regard. 

On the other hand, some actions can be taken by society to reduce air pollution, the more people are prepared to collaborate, the greater the impact; for this reason, it should not be seen as an individual strategy but as a group, that is why I invite you to follow them and promote their use with your acquaintances. 

To help eliminate air pollution, the following tips can be followed; this will help to improve the environment you live in and reduce emissions of pollutants.

• Save electricity at home, at work, everywhere; since the production of energy, has consequences and an environmental impact, regardless it is clean and renewable. Look for Energy-star products; backed by the government to protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices. Set air conditioners to no lower than 78°F; using products that store the temperature for a longer time is also a good option. 

• Reduce the use of paper to help maintain our nature and plants, its production is highly polluting,  is important due to the properties of plants to clean the air.

• Reduce fuel use. Be friendly and share the car, since the use of motor vehicles implies a source of energy, fuel or electric, is reflected in damage to the air; therefore, prefer to use public transport, bicycle or walk if possible. Setting multiple destinations in a single trip, performing virtual jobs are also options to reduce the path traveled in a car and reduce the number of trips you make. 

• Use gasoline and fuels safely, tighten the lid of the vehicle or the container very well, to avoid spills because these substances are recognized toxins for the body and environment, can be easily converted into gas and this way reach our lungs. There are spill-proof portable gasoline containers, which are an eco-friendly alternative if handling fuels is a common practice in your life. On the other hand, it can contribute to greater gasoline efficiency by keeping all engines properly tuned; even the tires properly inflated to eliminate resistance from lack of air.

• Use environmentally friendly chemicals, preferably liquids, use safe cleaners and paints whenever possible; avoid products that can easily become gases due to their composition or temperature.

• Avoid spreading particles, dust, or powders on construction activities, work, or home activities. To prevent the spread of microorganisms and small particles, it is advisable to immediately collect or cover the leaves and garden wastes with mulch/compost/soil.

• Avoid burning things and recycle. Consider using gas tanks instead of wood as burning wood produces a large number of toxic compounds, while natural gas is a less polluting and safer alternative but it also has an impact, so it is not abuse. Likewise, combustion reactions produce pollutants, so it is ideal to reduce, eliminate or control the use of fireplaces and wood stoves, in addition to avoiding burning leaves, garbage, and other materials; re-use material would help to clean the environment and gaseous wastes.

• Promote nature. Do outdoor activities in nature if the pollution allows it, plant a tree, have your own garden or plant indoors; the plants can take these chemical compounds instead of us, at the same time with their natural biology and its associated microorganisms helps to purify and clean the air.

Although these are not the main causes of air pollution, it would be very useful if the people helps to reduce the emissions of these pollutants until real environmental solutions are obtained for the processes and products of need as humans, provided by the scientists and industries that are responsible for the development of these companies, to obtain processes and products that are safe for the environment. These actions mentioned above are some of the activities that are strongly related to air pollution that affects the entire planet, these actions are very common among people, therefore, it is in our hands to help at least in part.

References

• Saxena, Pallavi & Naik, Vaishali. (2018). Air Pollution: Sources, Impacts, and Controls. 

• Amann, Markus & Kiesewetter, Gregor & Schoepp, Wolfgang & Klimont, Zbigniew & Winiwarter, Wilfried & Cofala, Janusz & Rafaj, Peter & Höglund-Isaksson, Lena & Gomez Sanabria, Adriana & Heyes, Chris & Purohit, Pallav & Borken-Kleefeld, Jens & Wagner, Fabian & Sander, Robert & Fagerli, Hilde & Nyiri, Agnes & Cozzi, Laura & Pavarini, Claudia. (2020). Reducing global air pollution: the scope for further policy interventions. Philosophical transactions. Series A, Mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences. 378. 20190331. 10.1098/rsta.2019.0331.