Air Pollution and Simple Actions to Reduce Air Pollution

Air pollution is contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any chemical, physical or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere.Household combustion devices, motor vehicles, industrial facilities and forest fires are common sources of air pollution. Pollutants of major public health concern include particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. Outdoor and indoor air pollution cause respiratory and other diseases and are important sources of morbidity and mortality.

Simple Actions to Reduce Air Pollution:

The following precautionary actions may be taken to reduce the level of air pollution.

* Reduce the number of times that you travel via your car. Carpool with more people in one car, or use bus and other public transportation to travel, or walk instead, whenever possible.

* Avoid the use of fireplaces and / or wooden stoves. Use gas logs in place of wood.

* Avoid burning garbage, dry leaves, or other materials, and lighting bonfires in the open. Instead, mulch or compost your yard waste.

* Eliminate the use of gas-powered lawn and gardening equipment.

* Use paints and cleaning products which are environmentally friendly.