National Pollution Control Day: 30 Ways To Keep Yourself Safe From Life-Threatening Air Quality

The National Pollution Control Day is celebrated annually on December 2nd across India to remind the world about the tragic Bhopal Gas Tragedy. It happened in 1984 due to a toxic leak from the pesticide plant of Union Carbide. The tragedy killed thousands and was an eye-opener on how industrial pollution could be fatal and take years for a place to fight the cause and move past the loss. Currently, alarming air pollution has been a major issue for people in India, due to deteriorating air quality and increasing PM2.5. All of which is responsible for health hazards like respiratory illness and more. Here is a list of thirty ways to keep yourself from the current life-threatening air quality on this National Pollution Control Day.

List Of 30 Ways To Keep Yourself Safe From Life-Threatening Air Quality: 

1. Homes and offices should have HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) air purifiers or portable cleaners to efficiently clean the indoor air.

2. Keep windows and doors closed when the air quality is poor. You can also run the fans and filters that can recirculate indoor air.

3. Yoga or other breathing practices help you build breathing resilience during bad air quality days.

4. Stay hydrated and eat antioxidant-based food, which would give your lungs the much-needed nutrition to fight the pollution damage.

Also Read: National Pollution Control Day: Smart Ways To Stay Safe From Pollution While Travelling

5. Vacuum your homes regularly, especially on low-pollution days with windows open for ventilation.

6. Use exhaust fans to improve air circulation, without bringing outdoor pollutants inside.

7. Use of an N95 outdoor mask is also recommended to block the fine particles of PM2.5 and PM10. Additionally, avoid using cloth or surgical masks.

8. Avoid spending too much time out during peak pollution hours, like early morning or evening.

9. Breathe through your nose, as it has natural dust and pollen filtration.

10. Prevent irritation from pollutants by protecting the eyes with UV glasses and using lubricating drops.

National Pollution Control Day (Image Credit: Canva)

11. Shower right away after exposure to the outdoors during peak pollution hours to wash off particles from skin and hair.

12. Install smart home air alarms to identify air pollution, and attach purifiers through them.

13. Check daily air quality index updates through applications, maps, or websites, such as airnow.gov, to plan activities accordingly.

Also Read: Delhi Air Pollution: SC Objects To Blaming Farmers; Study Flags Coal And Biomass As Top Polluters

14. Apply home appliances which are efficient in energy consumption.

15. Change the car air filters frequently and recirculate cabin air when driving.

16. Add air-cleaning plants to your house interior, like snake plants, spider plants, aloe vera, peace lily or areca palm, to naturally clean the air quality of your home.

Air Pollution Measures (Image Credit: Canva) 

17. Do not go out of the house, particularly when the levels of pollution are high.

18. Do not breathe through the mouth in the open air.

19. Reduce personal emissions by walking, biking, carpooling, or using public transit; avoid idling in traffic.

20. Opt for electric or hand-powered lawn tools instead of gas-powered ones. Do not burn wood, trash, or firewood, as they are known as the major sources of particle pollution.

21. Ventilate indoors only when the levels of pollution fall low.

22. Dispose of masks safely after one use or as recommended.

23. Keep adding greenery to your house to keep the air healthy and filtered.

24. Regular cleaning can keep dust away from indoors.

 (Image: Representational/Reuters)

25. Download predictive pollution apps for warnings.

26. Limit children's outdoor play on unhealthy air days.

27. Move workouts indoors, like malls or gyms.

28. You can also use smart house lights to manage the air automatically.

29. Vaccinate against the flu and pneumonia as an additional measure against contaminated seasons.

30. Where feasible, do not use the hotspots of pollution like busy roads, motorways, or heavy traffic sites.

Each of the above-mentioned ways to keep yourself away from rising air pollution highlights the conscious lifestyle decisions you take for yourself to protect your health, especially your lungs. From using an N95 mask to nutritional diets and using public transport, all to lower the pollution levels around you. This National Pollution Control Day, let’s take a pledge to build a cleaner and greener environment, which is sustainable and greener for a healthy future ahead.