What Should You Do When There’s a Pollution Warning?

With air pollution getting worse across the world, smog is becoming something of a regular occurrence in major cities. To reduce the impact of these high pollution periods on the public, London mayor Sadiq Khan has introduced pollution warnings. But how does this help? Read on to find out what you’re supposed to do when a pollution warning is put in place…

Keep the windows closed

It goes without saying that you should stay inside when outdoor pollution is high, but you also need to keep the polluted air out of your home. It isn’t usually wise to keep your home’s windows closed permanently – houses need to be well ventilated to guard against indoor pollution building up. But when pollution warnings are in place, it’s important you keep your home as air tight as possible

Go green – on your plate

While our failure to go green collectively has led to this air pollution problem, going green on your plate can go some way to protecting you from the effects. Fresh fruit and vegetables boost your body’s antioxidant levels. This helps fight against the effects of pollutants in the body.

Be an early bird

Although it’s best to stay indoors with windows closed, there are some ways to avoid the pollution if your have to venture out. The first is to do it early. Air pollution builds up during the morning rush hour, so if you can get outside before 7am it will significantly reduce your exposure. This is even more important if you are exercising, as this is a time when your body is so dependent on air and inhales more of it.

Steer clear of main roads

It might seem pointless staying away from congested areas during a high pollution alert. After all, the pollutants are in the air and they can easily spread, right? Not so much. Even a few metres can make a difference. Walking just one street – around 20 metres – away from the main road can reduce the amount of pollutants you’re breathing in by as much as fifty percent.

The long-term solution

These measures help you avoid damage to your body during the pollution peak, but we need far bigger solutions to tackle this problem in the long term. Because industrial emissions are one of the main contributors to the problem, it’s essential to put stricter regulations in place. ‘One Directive to Rule Them All’ explores how EU directives changed the industrial emissions regime back in 2013.