What You Can Do About Air Pollution

There are many small, but critical sources of air pollution in our homes and neighborhoods. These sources include vehicles, construction equipment, Ag equipment, lawn mowers, and backyard fires, and are located where we live, learn, work, and play.

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District encourages everyone to understand the Valley’s unique air quality challenges and take action to protect themselves whenever air quality is poor in their neighborhood. In addition, we ask Valley residents to make lasting changes in the way they live their lives, so that our air quality is positively affected. To prevent pollution from these sources, the Valley Air District provides education, guidance, and incentives for reducing air pollution. The Valley Air District offers incentive programs for public agencies, residents, and businesses that address a range of environmental problems, including air quality

Ways to Protect Yourself, Family and Pets:

Check air quality in your area

The color-coded levels can let you know when the air is unhealthy in your community. Sources include local radio and TV weather reports, weather apps and online at airnow.gov, myRAAN.com or their respective apps.

Avoid exercising outdoors

When the air is bad and pollution levels are high, try walking indoors in a shopping mall. Gym, or use an exercise machine at home.
Limit the amount of time your child spends playing outdoors if the air quality is unhealthy. Use the District’s ROAR guidelines to adjust your outdoor activities when air quality is poor.
Always avoid exercising near high-traffic areas. Even when air quality forecasts are green, the vehicles on busy highways can create high pollution levels up to one-third of a mile away.

Ways to Improve Air Quality at Home, Work, School, and on the Go:

Use less energy in your home.

Generating electricity and other sources of energy creates air pollution. By reducing energy use, you can help improve air quality, curb greenhouse gas emissions, encourage energy independence, and save money.

Reduce exposure to school bus emissions.

Parents should encourage schools to adopt no idling campaigns. To keep exhaust levels down, schools should not allow school buses to idle on or near their campus. Encourage your school to participate in the District’s Healthy Air Living Schools

Drive your car less.

Residents can walk, bike, bus, carpool, telecommute, or use an electric vehicle to reduce emissions.
Combine trips when running errands.
Use buses, subways, light rail systems, commuter trains or other alternatives to driving your car.
Apply for the District and State Drive Clean rebates when you go electric!

Avoid burning wood or trash.

When wood, household garbage, plastic, or leaves are burned, they produce smoke and release toxic gases.
The smoke contains vapors and particulate matter (solid compounds suspended in the air).
The particulate matter and toxic gases released during burning can be very irritating to people’s health.
Burning firewood and trash are among the major sources of particle pollution (soot) in many parts of the country.

Limit air emissions when using garden equipment.

Switch to hand-powered or electric lawn care equipment. Old two-stroke engines like lawnmowers and leaf or snow blowers often have no pollution control devices. We can help you go electric!
Purchase newer equipment which reduce air pollution up to 70%. Engines 2011 and newer are much cleaner than older engines which produce more pollution.

Keep your indoor air clean.

Don’t add particle pollutants to your home by smoking, burning wood, gas logs, or even candles or incense. Limit the amount of ash you bring in from outside. Remove your shoes and wipe off your pet’s feet.
Don't allow anyone to smoke indoors.
Consider purchasing an air cleaner for your home. Choose a high-efficiency (HEPA) mechanical filter or an electrostatic precipitator. Avoid using an air cleaner that works by generating ozone, which will increase the pollution in your home. The California Air Resources Board has information on selecting portable and central air cleaners– including information on choosing the correct size for your room(s).

Get involved. Become a Healthy Air Living Partner.

Start by checking out our Healthy Air Living website for more information about how you can positively impact air quality in the San Joaquin Valley.

Resources

American Lung Association
Residential Wood Burning

California Air Resources Board
Protecting Your Health
List of CARB-Certified Air Cleaning Devices

National Association of Clean Air Agencies
AirNow

San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District
Healthy Air Living

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Actions You Can Take to Reduce Air Pollution
Clean School Bus Program
Pollution Prevention Tips for Energy Efficiency

Air Toxics Program