TIPS TO REDUCE EXPOSURE TO THE POLLUTANTS WHILE WORKING OUTDOOR: • Before going outside, check the Air Quality Index (AQI) using apps or websites. Avoid unnecessary outdoor activities when pollution levels are high. • Avoid jogging or strenuous outdoor physical activity in polluted areas, especially during peak traffic hours. • When AQI is poor, wear face masks during high pollution days when one must venture outdoors. • Use public transport and carpools to reduce the pollution due to excessive vehicular emissions.
PROTECTIVE MEASURES TO REDUCE EXPOSURE TO THE POLLUTANTS: • Wear N95 or N99 masks when stepping outside, especially in highly polluted areas. • Use Air Purifiers at home to reduce indoor exposure to pollutants. • Avoid smoking indoors, use exhaust fans, and have good cross ventilation to keep air inside the home as clean as possible.
STRENGTHEN THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM: • Improve breathing and lung capacity with the help of breathing techniques like pranayama, yoga techniques, etc.; it also improves resistance to pollutants. • Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water. It helps in flushing out the toxins/pollutants from the body. • Consume foods rich in Vitamin C (oranges, lemons), Omega-3 fatty acids (nuts, fish), and Vitamin E (spinach, almonds) and antioxidants to strengthen the immune system and improve lung health.
REDUCE GENERATING POLLUTION INDOOR: • Avoid burning garbage, plastic, synthetic air fresheners, cleaning sprays, etc., indoors as they release harmful chemicals and particles. • Regularly clean the surfaces at home, use vacuum cleaners wherever cleaning with hands is difficult, and wash curtains and carpets frequently to keep the home dust-free.
OTHER GENERAL PROTECTIVE MEASURES: • Planting more trees increases the green spaces, which helps absorb harmful pollutants and improves air quality. • Avoid Smoking & Encourage Smoke-Free Zones, as tobacco smoke worsens indoor and outdoor air pollution.
IMP: Seek medical help if experiencing any harmful health effects associated with pollutant exposure.
TIPS TO PREVENT/REDUCE AIR POLLUTION:
Efforts at both individual and community levels are necessary to prevent air pollution or to reduce its severity. Some of the effective ways to reduce or prevent air pollution are: 1. Reduce vehicular emission: • Using Public Transport/carpools for daily commutes can reduce the number of vehicles on the road. • Using energy and fuel-efficient vehicles, e.g. EVs and hybrid cars, can reduce the volume of toxic vehicular emissions. • Please turn off your car engine at red lights or when parked, as it saves fuel and reduces pollution. • For short-distance travel, try to walk instead of using a vehicle whenever possible.
2. Reduce Energy requirement/use alternative energy sources at Home & Work • Try to use alternative sources of energy at home to reduce dependency on fossil fuels, e.g., using Solar panels, etc. • Keep electric appliances off when not used at home and in the office, as they save electricity and reduce power plant emissions. • Using energy-efficient devices, e.g., LED bulbs, etc. consume less electricity and reduces electricity demand.
3. Reduce Industrial & Household Pollution • Choose products manufactured by companies that follow eco-friendly production. • Switch to natural cleaning and household products like cleaning agents, mosquito repellents, air fresheners, etc., instead of chemical and synthetic agents. • Avoid indoor burning of leaves, garbage, or plastic, as it releases harmful toxins. 4. Improve Indoor Air Quality • Use Air Purifiers at home as they filter and clean indoor air from harmful pollutants. • Keep windows open, and allow cross ventilation, when possible, to allow fresh air inside the house. 5. Reduce Agricultural & Deforestation-Related Pollution • Plant more trees. Trees absorb CO₂, release oxygen and help keep the air clean. • Following sustainable farming Practices such as Organic farming, crop rotation, and using natural fertilizers can help reduce harmful chemical emissions. • Encourage farmers to use eco-friendly alternatives like bio-decomposers instead of open burning of stubble after harvesting the crop. 6. Other Measures: • Use of alternative or renewable Energy Sources instead of fossil fuels such as coal and oil, e.g. Solar panels, electric vehicles, Hydroelectric power, • Reduce the Use of Plastic as its production releases toxic pollutants and is not biodegradable. Use other biodegradable materials as a substitute for plastic wherever possible.
