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CLEANING THE AIR
Reduce vehicle use: use public transit or walk, bike or carpool to reduce the amount of toxic emissions being added to the air.
When purchasing a new vehicle, try to buy one that is more fuel-efficient.
Maintain your vehicle: proper maintenance such as regular oil changes eases some of the air pollution, and will extend the life of your vehicle.
Buy cleaner fuel: some types of gases are cleaner and emit less harmful compounds.
Turn off the car engine: when waiting at long traffic lights, railway crossings, or construction sites, turn off your car engine.
Park your vehicle: rather than using the drive-through at a fast-food restaurant, park your vehicle and go inside- and you usually get served faster too!
Reduce energy consumption: see above for tips! Electricity production causes a portion of our air pollution.
Reduce use of air fresheners and other synthetic fragrances: these can contain dangerous chemicals. Many air fresheners actually deaden or “numb” nerve cells so you cant smell foul odours rather than actually eliminating the odours. Some states in the US actually ban some of these air fresheners due to cancer causing chemicals. Candles made of paraffin wax can also contribute to air pollution. You can make your own healthier candles by melting soy wax or beeswax into moulds, and use natural ingredients to make them scented. Sheets of beeswax can be rolled into candles; you can find these at craft stores. The use of baking soda, as mentioned above can be used as a deodorizer, such as a carpet freshener. Some wildflowers and herbs can also be used for aromatherapy purposes. Pure, organic essential oils, which are basically oils extracted from plants are also good sources to make your own fresheners. These can be found at health food stores, but be sure to consult an expert when using essential oils, as some oils may need to be diluted, or can be irritating to the skin.