PART-2

 
PROTECTIVE MEASURES AGAINST AIR POLLUTION:

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. 

 

 

REFERENCES:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_pollution
2. https://www.nrdc.org/stories/air-pollution-everything-you-need-know
3. https://www.who.int/health-topics/air-pollution#tab=tab_1
4. https://pib.gov.in/newsite/printrelease.aspx?relid=110654
5. https://safar.tropmet.res.in/AQI-47-12-Details
6. https://www.airnow.gov/aqi/aqi-basics/
7. https://www.aqi.in/blog/en-in/10-main-causes-of-air-pollution/
8.https://www.nrdc.org/bio/vijay-limaye/indias-air-pollution-challenge-spans-rural-and-urban-areas#:~:text=Air Pollution Knows No Boundaries&text=Last year's annual PM2.5,of 5 µg/m3:
9.https://www.indiascienceandtechnology.gov.in/listingpage/air-pollution-india-status-and-challenges#:~:text=In a study that appeared,is attributable to air pollution.