Whether you live in a high-traffic big city or a leafy suburb, there are some things you can do—individually and as part of your community—to boost the chances of breathing healthier air.
Close car windows. A University of Southern California study, published in 2013 in Environmental Science & Technology, found that closing windows and pressing the button to recirculate air inside the vehicle can cut exposure to pollution, especially in areas of heavy traffic.
Exercise wisely. If you get your exercise outdoors, walk or work out in parks or other spaces away from traffic and during off-peak traffic hours, suggests the American Lung Association (ALA). When weather reports say outdoor air quality is poor, exercise indoors at places like gyms, recreation centers, and malls (for walking).
Do yard work the old-fashioned way. Gas-powered lawn mowers, leaf blowers, and snowblowers generate more air pollution than cars do, according to the ALA.
Don't idle your car. Warm up the engine by driving, not idling, advises the Environmental Defense Fund.
Ban the burn. The burning of trash and wood is a big contributor to particle pollution, reports the ALA.
Purify the air. Portable air monitors and purifiers in the home and elsewhere may guard against high exposure to air pollution, though the science behind these devices is still evolving, says Ray Dorsey, MD, MBA, professor of neurology at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York.
Waste not. Manufacturing new items contributes to air pollution. Buy durable, long-lasting products, suggests Vladimir Hachinski, MD, DSc, FAAN, of Western University in Ontario, Canada. Additionally, be more mindful of not wasting food, and recycle or reuse as many items as possible.
Celebrate trees. Instead of sending flowers for a birthday or funeral, plant a tree in honor or memory of the person, Dr. Hachinski says.
Promote nature. Get involved in projects that support the development of parks, walking and hiking trails, and other open spaces. Evidence suggests that creating more green spaces—turning vacant lots into parks or urban gardens, for instance—may help promote the overall health of a community, says Mitchell S. Elkind, MD, FAAN, professor of neurology and epidemiology at Columbia University in New York CIty.
Vote for the environment. Work to elect politicians with pro-environmental stances on such issues as public transportation and renewable energy sources.
Read More
