A mixture of various gasses such as Nitrogen, Oxygen, Helium, Hydrogen, Argon, etc. is known as air. Atmospheric motions maintain the uniformity of these gasses. Burning waste and fossil fuels, vehicle emissions, construction and demolition, waste, landfills, and many more factors can hamper the uniformity of the air. When the levels of these gasses exceed the desired limit, the air gets polluted and this is known as air pollution. There are so many ways that we can discuss how to reduce air pollution. Millions of people die every year because of air pollution. The air we breathe every day has many toxic and dangerous pollutants. Everyone should be responsible to reduce air pollution. Let’s discuss the 10 ways how to reduce air pollution.
What Are 10 Ways to Reduce Air Pollution?
1. Use of public transport:
Use Public Transportation to Reduce Air Pollution. Facts and figures don’t lie — our transportation needs produce 30% of all carbon dioxide gas emissions. We can use public buses instead of using private cars or vehicles. Let’s say a bus can carry 40 passengers at once; these 40 passengers can reduce the emissions of 40 private vehicles by using one public vehicle instead. Many public vehicles run on CNG (Compressed Natural Gas). CNG consists of a very large amount of methane (CH₄). CH₄ burns cleaner than some other fuels, reducing ash emissions. As a result, it reduces the number of fine particles in the air.
The introduction of new technology like E-Busses helps in reducing emissions, and therefore, air pollution. Traffic congestion produces high amounts of soot and carbon monoxide, which contributes to poor air quality. Using public transportation reduces pollution levels, as well as traffic jams on the road.
This is one of the 10 major ways through which we can reduce air pollution..
2. Buy Energy Efficient Vehicles Like Electric:
When purchasing a vehicle, consider fuel-efficient and alternative fuel vehicles. E-vehicles are much more efficient, and when compared to the price of energy. Charging an e-vehicle is less expensive than filling up liquid fuel for your travel needs. Using renewable sources of energy can enhance using e-vehicles, making them environmentally beneficial.
Since e-vehicles have fewer moving parts than petrol and diesel-burning engines, they require less maintenance. As a result, the annual cost of operating an e-car is much lower. Electric automobiles have lower licensing fees and road taxes than gasoline-powered automobiles.
Petrol and diesel- cars release toxic air pollutants which add to air pollution levels. Major pollutants produced by gasoline-powered cars include:
- Carbon Monoxide- CO decreases the ability of blood to carry O2 to different body organs. CO exposure causes lethargy, migraines, disorientation, and nausea. It delays cell growth, unnaturally small new foliage, an unusual withering of the greenery, and over-developed tissues in plants. Animal CO poisoning symptoms include cognitive damages, trouble with breathing, and sudden death.
- Nitrogen Oxides- NO irritate the membrane in the mucous. NO in high doses causes lung irritation in humans. It harms vegetation by destroying the leaves.
- PM10 and PM2.5 fine particulate matter- PM10 and PM2.5 are particles < 10 μm and < 2.5 μm in diameter, respectively. Exposure to particles can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat; cause respiratory infections, etc. in humans. PM exposures can lead to respiratory and heart diseases in both animals and humans. PM exposures block and damage the stomata. It further affects photosynthesis and respiration in plants. .
3. Consider “Going Green”:
“Going Green” means practicing an environmentally friendly and ecologically responsible lifestyle as well as making decisions to help protect the environment and sustain natural resources. These campaigns entail choosing to live a sustainable, environmentally friendly lifestyle. It helps in minimizing pollutants that enter the soil, waterways, and air. Going green minimizes air pollution and environmental pollutants. Going green can impact our body’s immunity to fight infections and expose us to infections and severe illnesses. Another benefit of going green is that it cuts the pollution levels that are released into the air and therefore into the environment. Going green can help your office/home/school become a healthier place. This can have a major influence on staff time and result in fewer employees/staff/students taking sick leave.
It reduces the chances of getting nervous or anxiety problems in humans. Going green, being one of the 10 ways to reduce air pollution; contributes to the preservation of forests, wildlife habitats, and the environment.
Further environmental advantages of going green include better air quality, better health, and less wastage. Recycling and using superior materials for construction and daily life minimize landfill trash as plastic, for instance, is non-biodegradable.
4. Plant a Garden:
Planting trees will help us get enough fresh air we need. Tress enhance air quality in many ways: they consume carbon dioxide and produce O2 via photosynthesis. They can actively collect pollutants on the exterior walls of leaves and the root system of the plant.
Increasing greenery is one of the most basic techniques to reduce the impacts of air pollution. Growing trees, bushes, an organic farm, indoor plants, etc. help us in reducing air pollution. They help to remove pollutants from the air. Plants help people concentrate better at home and work.
All living creatures require O2 for the respiration process. It also helps to preserve the ozone layer. Ozone layer protects Earth’s ecosystem from harmful UV radiation. That is why we must grow more trees and plants. Growing trees is said to be one of the most crucial steps among these 10 ways to reduce the air pollution.
5. Turn Off Lights When Not in Use:
Don’t waste energy and money. Be very careful and responsible to turn off lights at home when you or your family members are not at home or the lights are not in use.
Electricity generation plants employ fossil fuels, which contribute significantly to air pollution. Save a lot of energy by cutting electricity consumption, by shutting off lights whenever you leave a room.
Since light bulbs are the least productive type of illumination, switch them off when you are not using them. Only about 10% of the power is converted, which they require in lighting, while 90% is converted to heat. Switching off the light bulbs will also make a room cooler, which is incredibly useful in the summers.