10 Things You Can Do for Clean Air

8/4/2019 10 Things You Can Do for Clean Air

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10 Things You Can Do For Clean Air

1. Modify Your Transportation --- Your car is a significant source of airpollution, so switching to a more gas-efficient vehicle will be a big help. See How

You Can Improve Transportation for several more tips which will improve air qual

2. Conserve Energy --- Your home energy consumption translates into air pollutherefore any energy conservation or efficiency improvements you make will help. 21 Ways You Can Save Energy for tips.

3. Reduce Waste --- Manufacturing of unnecessary or disposable goods oftenproduces air pollution, so reduced purchasing of disposables will help. In general,

follow the solid waste mantra - "Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle" - and this will redair pollution as well from transporting, treating, or disposing of unnecessary wastesSee Waste Reduction Tips.

4. Eliminate Toxic Chemical Use at Home --- A surprising number ofhousehold or home shop chemicals are toxic and volatile. Many release vapors into

air, inside the home and out. This can be serious health threat to your family, and

contributes to community-wide levels of air pollutants. SeeNon-Toxic HouseholdProducts.

5. No Burn Barrels --- Northeast Wisconsin communities need to pass and enfo

ordinances prohibiting individuals or businesses from burning trash in their backyards. This type of uncontrolled burning is extremely polluting, especially when m

people are doing it. When trash is burned incompletely and at relatively lowtemperatures, a great deal of soot and ash is produced. Many plastics, coatings, ink

paints, metals and treated woods will produce toxic chemical air pollutants such as

dioxin, lead, arsenic, chromium, etc.

6. Cut Back or Eliminate Lawn Mowing --- Gasoline-powered lawn mowerand similar yard equipment can produce much higher rates of air pollution than an

equivalent horsepower in a car, due to engine inefficiencies and the lack of catalyticconverters. You can help reduce these emissions by converting a large portion, or

of your lawn to trees, shrubs and easy-care perennials. (See the Grow AppropriatePlants section, under water conservation tips.) Then use a non-motorized push-styllawnmower to cut your remaining lawn. Modern versions of these push mowers ar

easy to use, and will help you get a little exercise and fresh air, without the fumes.

7. Plant leafy trees and shrubs --- Deciduous trees and shrubs (the kinds that leaves in the fall) are excellent air filters to help reduce smog and cool the air on ho
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summer days.

9. Limit Your Family Size --- Every person uses natural resources, which resulair pollution. Our human population is rapidly rising to levels which make it

increasingly difficult to control air pollution while sustaining a healthy environmeneach couple limited themselves to no more than 2 children, our worlds populationcould stabilize and support everyone without conflict or suffering.

10. Get Involved and Talk to Your Legislators --- Many of our currentgovernmental regulations are not strong enough to address our air pollution problem

Citizens need to contact their legislators and ask for better policies.

Other Air Pollution Sections:

Introduction to Air Pollution in Wisconsin Ozone Pollution in Northeast Wisconsin

Incineration Concerns

Global Warming

Links to More Air Pollution Information

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Ways to Reduce Air Pollution

We make choices everyday that can help reduce air pollution. Below are a few ideas that

you can take to help clean our air.

At Home

Conserve energy - turn off appliances and lights when you leave the room.

Recycle paper, plastic, glass bottles, cardboard, and aluminum cans. (This

conserves energy and reduces production emissions.)

Keep woodstoves and fireplaces well maintained. You should also consider

replacing old wood stoves with EPA-certified models. Visit

www.epa.gov/woodstoves. Plant deciduous trees in locations around your home to provide shade in the

summer, but to allow light in the winter.

Buy green electricity-produced by low-or even zero-pollution facilities.

Connect your outdoor lights to a timer or use solar lighting.

Wash clothes with warm or cold water instead of hot.

Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120F.

Use low-VOC or water-based paints, stains, finishes, and paint strippers.

Test your home for radon-a dangerous, radioactive gas that is odorless and

tasteless. If the test shows elevated levels of radon, the problem can be fixed costeffectively. Visit www.epa.gov/radon.

Choose not to smoke in your home, especially if you have children. If you or yourvisitors must smoke, then smoke outside. Visit www.epa.gov/smokefree.

Buy Smart

Buy ENERGY STAR products, including energy efficient lighting and

appliances. They are environmentally friendly products. For more information,

visit www.energystar.gov or call 1-888-STAR-YES.

Choose efficient, low-polluting models of vehicles. Visit

www.epa.gov/greenvehicles.

Choose products that have less packaging and are reusable.

Shop with a canvas bag instead of using paper and plastic bags. Buy rechargeable batteries for devices used frequently.

Drive Wise

Plan your trips. Save gasoline and reduce air pollution.

Keep tires properly inflated and aligned.
http://www.epa.gov/woodstoveshttp://www.epa.gov/radonhttp://www.epa.gov/smokefreehttp://www.energystar.gov/http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicleshttp://www.epa.gov/woodstoveshttp://www.epa.gov/radonhttp://www.epa.gov/smokefreehttp://www.energystar.gov/http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles


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In the summertime, fill gas tank during cooler evening hours to cut down on

evaporation. Avoid spilling gas and don't "top off" the tank. Replace gas tank cap

tightly.

Avoid waiting in long drive-thru lines, for example, at fast-food restaurants or

banks. Park your car and go in.

When possible, use public transportation, walk, or ride a bike. Get regular engine tune ups and car maintenance checks (especially for the spark

plugs).

Use an energy-conserving (EC) grade motor oil.

Ask your employer to consider flexible work schedules or telecommuting.

Report smoking vehicles to your local air agency.

Join a carpool or vanpool to get to work.

For Your Health

Check daily air quality forecasts, which tell how clean or polluted your air is, and

the associated health concerns. Visit www.airnow.gov. Remove indoor asthma triggers from your home and avoid outdoor triggers in

order to effectively control your asthma. Visit www.epa.gov/asthmato learn moreabout asthma triggers and ways to avoid them.

Minimize your sun exposure. Wear sun block and UV protection sunglasses. To

find out about current forecasts of UV where you live, go towww.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html.
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10 Things You Can Do for Clean Air