10 Things You Can Do For Clean Air

1. Modify Your Transportation --- Your car is a significant source of air

pollution, 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 quality.

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

3. Reduce Waste --- Manufacturing of unnecessary or disposable goods often

produces air pollution, so reduced purchasing of disposables will help. In general, follow the solid waste mantra - "Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle" - and this will reduce air pollution as well from transporting, treating, or disposing of unnecessary wastes. See Waste Reduction Tips.

4. Eliminate Toxic Chemical Use at Home --- A surprising number of

household or home shop chemicals are toxic and volatile. Many release vapors into the air, inside the home and out. This can be serious health threat to your family, and contributes to community-wide levels of air pollutants. See Non-Toxic Household Products.

5. No Burn Barrels --- Northeast Wisconsin communities need to pass and enforce
ordinances prohibiting individuals or businesses from burning trash in their back yards. This type of uncontrolled burning is extremely polluting, especially when many people are doing it. When trash is burned incompletely and at relatively low temperatures, a great deal of soot and ash is produced. Many plastics, coatings, inks, 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 mowers

and 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 catalytic converters. You can help reduce these emissions by converting a large portion, or all, of your lawn to trees, shrubs and easy-care perennials. (See the Grow Appropriate Plants section, under water conservation tips.) Then use a non-motorized push-style lawnmower to cut your remaining lawn. Modern versions of these push mowers are 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 drop
leaves in the fall) are excellent air filters to help reduce smog and cool the air on hot

summer days.

9. Limit Your Family Size --- Every person uses natural resources, which results in
air pollution. Our human population is rapidly rising to levels which make it increasingly difficult to control air pollution while sustaining a healthy environment. If each couple limited themselves to no more than 2 children, our worlds population could stabilize and support everyone without conflict or suffering.

10. Get Involved and Talk to Your Legislators --- Many of our current
governmental regulations are not strong enough to address our air pollution problems. 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 cost effectively. Visit www.epa.gov/radon. Choose not to smoke in your home, especially if you have children. If you or your visitors 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.

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/asthma to learn more about 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 to www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html.