Smog Help: Tips For Smoggy Days
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WHAT IS SMOG?
Smog is a mixture of ground-level ozone, toxic gases and airborne particles that can damage both human health and the environment.
The contaminants that create smog are released during the combustion of fossil fuels in our vehicles, power plants, factory boilers and homes. They are also released by industrial processes, the evaporation of liquid fuels and the use of solvents and other volatile products such as oil-based paints.
When smog levels are high, you should:
DELAY EXERCISING
Strenuous exercise, especially during the late afternoon and early evening when smog is at its worst, can cause breathing difficulties and eye and throat irritations even in healthy people. On smog alert days, if strenuous activities or exercise are unavoidable, plan them for early in the morning, and avoid high traffic areas.
STAY INDOORS
On smog alert days, children, the elderly and people with chronic heart and lung ailments should remain indoors in late afternoon and early evening. Smog levels are highest at this time. Sensitive people may experience eye, nose and throat irritations, chest discomfort, laboured breathing and possible lung damage. Try to stay in a room that is cool and moist (but too much air conditioning dries the air).
EDUCATE YOUR CHILDREN
When a smog alert has been called, encourage your children to play outdoors early in the day. Choose play areas away from heavy traffic. Help them plan indoor activities for the late afternoon. Reschedule baseball and other outdoor sports. Talk to your kids about what they can do to help improve air quality.
How To Help Combat Smog
During a smog alert, there are a number of actions that you can take to help improve air quality:
REDUCE VEHICLE USE
Walk, cycle or take public transit. Emissions from cars, trucks and buses contribute greatly to Ontario's smog problem. Leave your car at home, if possible, or limit car trips by doing all your errands at once. Hold a teleconference instead of travelling to meetings. To reduce your exposure to exhaust fumes, stay away from heavy traffic areas when walking or cycling.
DRIVE CLEAN
If you must drive, try carpooling. And keep your car well tuned. A well maintained car runs better and pollutes less. Shut the engine off, even for short stops - one minute of idling uses more fuel than restarting your engine. Drive at moderate speeds and check your tires regularly. Refuel your car after sundown when air pollution levels are lower and gasoline vapours won't add to the problem.
TURN OFF THE LIGHTS
Generating electricity contributes to smog, so remember to turn off the lights whenever you don't need them.
TURN DOWN THE AIR CONDITIONER
Air conditioning uses up energy, some of which is supplied by oil and coal-fired generators which emit pollutants that contribute to smog. Increasing the temperature in your home or place of work by a few degrees is a small price to pay to reduce hydro usage and help improve air quality.
LIMIT USE OF SMALL ENGINE TOOL
You'd hardly think that mowing the lawn contributes to smog, but it does. Small gasoline engines in mowers, chain saws and leaf blowers emit high levels of pollutants that cause smog. On smog alert days put off mowing the lawn to another day. Use electric-powered or, even better, manual tools which don't produce any pollution.
USE AIR-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS
Avoid using aerosol sprays/cleaners, oil-based paints and other chemical products that contribute to poor air quality indoors and outdoors.
DON'T LIGHT UP ON SMOG ALERT DAYS
Whether it's lighting up your gas barbecue or, a cigarette, the smoke will only add more pollutants and further deteriorate air quality in and around your home. Take a break - don't smoke, and enjoy light meals that require little or no cooking.
