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The world is beginning to realize that air pollution is a major cause of death, responsible for seven million deaths a year. Last month, the World Health Organization warned that 90% of children worldwide live in areas where air violates pollution guidelines. But unless we settle in an oxygen tent, what can we do to avoid toxic air?
The good news is that we can all take simple steps to minimize our exposure to indoor and outdoor pollutants.
Leave the car at home
While this may seem counter-intuitive, we are exposed to less pollution to walk or cycle in a busy street than in a car, says Larissa Lockwood, Global Action Plan's Health Officer.
"Cars are poisonous vehicles, pollution gets into the car through the ventilation system and can not get out," she says.
A 2014 study found that motorists were exposed to higher levels of particulate matter – the tiny particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs – and black carbon compared to people traveling in the same streets by bike.
The exchange of the car for the bike has a triple advantage: you reduce your own exposure, the air pollution around you and enjoy the benefits of walking or cycling for health.
Avoid polluted streets when walking or cycling
Children are exposed to more vapors because they are closer to the traffic Credit: Chris Ratcliffe / Bloomberg
Walking in quieter streets could have a huge impact on how much pollution you are exposed to, according to the scientists.
Researchers at King's College, London, set up pollution detectors for people traveling to central London and found that when they were traveling on quieter routes, exposure levels had increased. considerably decreased.
Ms. Lockwood says that even if you can not avoid the main roads, walking on the side of the sidewalk furthest from the traffic might help.
"We did a job with Imperial College which showed that children are exposed to an average pollution 30% higher than adults because they are closer to the exhaust pipes. The closer you are to the fumes, the more you will breathe, "she says.
Open your windows
A report from the Royal College of Physicians in 2016 warned of pollutants inside the home. Solvents that seep into plastics, paints and furniture can clog our lungs. The scents of lemon and pine that we use to give our homes a fresh smell can chemically react to generate air pollutants, and ozone-based air fresheners can also cause indoor air pollution, warned the report, adding that indoor air pollution had contributed to nearly 100,000 deaths in Europe in 2012.
Lockwood said, "Levels of pollutants vary from house to house and that depends on what's inside. But things like new furniture will release toxic chemicals. They are treated with flame retardants that emit pollutants. This "new house" smell is essentially toxic chemicals. "
Personal care products such as deodorants and cleaning products can also contribute to poor air quality in our homes.
This "new house" smell could be toxic chemicals Credit: Westend61 / Getty Images
"Moving to more natural products and using creams rather than aerosols can make the difference, while properly ventilating your home. So open your windows when you buy new furniture, "she says.
But what if you live near a busy road? It is feared that the pollution of the outside air will seep into the house.
Jonathan Grigg, a professor of respiratory and environmental medicine in pediatrics at Queen Mary's University in London, says it is essential to have a good extractor fan in the kitchen.
The RCP, along with the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health, is mapping all indoor air pollution sources and will release a report on the subject next year.
Professor Grigg directs the work.
"We are trying to find out what evidence exists and are trying to produce a hierarchy of air pollution," he said, adding that evidence of indoor pollution was currently[ppr[ppr[ppr[ppr
"We know that outdoor air pollution is definitely a major health problem, but we know little about indoor pollution. We know that nitrogen dioxide is produced from cooking gas and that various chemicals come from scented products used at home. We know that they are toxic, but we do not know if they are worse than outdoor pollution, "he said.
Put your wood stove on the grass
Earlier this year, Environment Secretary Michael Gove said the wood stove could be used for cutting because of the amount of pollutants it pumped into the outdoor air – their emissions now represent 38% particle pollution.
But they are also a source of indoor air pollution, Lockwood warns.
"They produce a lot of particle pollution, not only on the outside but also inside the house," she says.
If you can not give up your wood stove, be sure to use well-seasoned wood Credit: Clara Molden
If you can not give up your wood stove, choose well-seasoned wood – it's drier and therefore less smoke – and make sure your stove is well maintained and your chimney is well swept, adds Lockwood.
"Anything that burns contributes to indoor air pollution," Lockwood said. That includes everything from the simple candle to the gas cooker to the boiler, she adds.
"Great things will contribute more, but all you burn is additional," she says.
Eat your vegetables
Small studies have shown that a healthy diet can mitigate some of the effects of air pollution. Scientists from the US Environmental Protection Agency donated fish oil or olive oil to 29 middle-aged people for one month, then exposed them for two hours to particle pollution.
Those who had fish oil saw less variation in heart rate, and therefore less risk of heart attack, than those who had olive oil.
In a recent study, scientists at the University of California at Los Angeles showed that by consuming broccoli germ extract for four days in juice, it was possible to reduce inflammation in people's noses after exposure to pollution by exhaust gases.
"If you are in good health and care anyway, it should lessen the effects of air pollution," says Lockwood.
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