Whether you’re jetting around town, taking a leisurely stroll in the park, or lounging in the comfort of your own home, you could be under the influence of harmful airborne pollutants without even realizing it. Of course you know about smog. How could you not? It’s visible! But you may not be cognizant of the fact that the air you breathe, both outside and in, could be causing you all sorts of respiratory problems, not to mention other health concerns. So if you want to breathe a little easier, perhaps you should try a few simple techniques to improve the quality of the air you’re inhaling.
Embrace alternatives to fossil fuels. Going fully electric is not as bad as it used to be. Faster and more efficient electric cars are coming out every day to meet consumer demand. But if you don’t want to shell out the cash for a new car, consider mass transit or biking as an option. In some cities, you can even find buses that run on biodiesel!
Avoid big polluters. Certain types of manufacturing plants produce a lot of pollution, such as those related to textiles, steel, and glass as well as mining operations, petroleum refineries, and coal burning power plants, just to name a few. If you can avoid using the products of these industries, you may be able to cut down on the amount of pollution they spew into the atmosphere.
Use alternate energy sources. One of the major sources of both indoor and outdoor air pollution is gas for the home. Appliances like stoves and furnaces are prone to leakage and it’s not uncommon for people to suffer from varying levels of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can lead to dizziness, headaches, nausea, fatigue, and even death. While you can certainly cope by placing CO meters around the house, you’ll be better off opting for solar, wind, or water energy sources in the home to give you clean, green energy that will also cut down on the hazardous materials being emitted from the power plant.
Ventilate and insulate. People don’t realize how many pollutants get into their home from the outside or just how much pollution they’re producing and trapping within their four walls. Proper ventilation can ensure that clean air is flowing throughout your home while adequate insulation will keep the bought air in.
Nix the toxins. Chemical cleaning solvents, cigarettes, aerosols, dust, dander, and mold are all items found in the home that can promote respiratory (and other) problems if not dealt with. And there are ways to remove them all from your home. Solvents can be replaced with all-natural cleaning products, cigarettes can be relegated to the patio or porch (or you could quit), aerosols have many alternatives in the form of creams and liquids, and dust, dander and mold can be combated with frequent dusting and vacuuming enhanced by an air filtration/purification system (although mold may require special treatment). In short, you have almost total control of the air you breathe, at least in your home, so it’s up to you to keep it clean.
Sarah Danielson writes for Air Purifier Guide where you can find information about Hepa air purifier technology. You can also browse the latest reviews on air purification systems.