1. Modify Your Transportation --- Your car is a significant source of air pollution, so switching to a more gas-efficient vehicle will be a big help.   See How You Can Improve Transportation for several more tips which will improve air quality.

2. Conserve Energy --- Your home energy consumption translates into air pollution, therefore any energy conservation or efficiency improvements you make will help.  See 21 Ways You Can Save Energy for tips.

3. Reduce Waste --- Manufacturing of unnecessary or disposable goods often produces air pollution, so reduced purchasing of disposables will help.  In general, follow the solid waste mantra - "Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle" - and this will reduce air pollution as well from transporting, treating, or disposing of unnecessary wastes.  See Waste Reduction Tips.

4. Eliminate Toxic Chemical Use at Home --- A surprising number of household or home shop chemicals are toxic and volatile.  Many release vapors into the air, inside the home and out.  This can be serious health threat to your family, and contributes to community-wide levels of air pollutants.  See Non-Toxic Household Products.

5. No Burn Barrels --- Northeast Wisconsin communities need to pass and enforce ordinances prohibiting individuals or businesses from burning trash in their back yards.  This type of uncontrolled burning is extremely polluting, especially when many people are doing it.  When trash is burned incompletely and at relatively low temperatures, a great deal of soot and ash is produced.  Many plastics, coatings, inks, paints, metals and treated woods will produce toxic chemical air pollutants such as dioxin, lead, arsenic, chromium, etc. 

6. Cut Back or Eliminate Lawn Mowing --- Gasoline-powered lawn mowers and similar yard equipment can produce much higher rates of air pollution than an equivalent horsepower in a car, due to engine inefficiencies and the lack of catalytic converters.  You can help reduce these emissions by converting a large portion, or all, of your lawn to trees, shrubs and easy-care perennials.  (See the Grow Appropriate Plants section, under water conservation tips.)  Then use a non-motorized push-style lawnmower to cut your remaining lawn.  Modern versions of these push mowers are easy to use, and will help you get a little exercise and fresh air, without the fumes.

7. Plant leafy trees and shrubs --- Deciduous trees and shrubs (the kinds that drop leaves in the fall) are excellent air filters to help reduce smog and cool the air on hot summer days.

9. Limit Your Family Size --- Every person uses natural resources, which results in air pollution.  Our human population is rapidly rising to levels which make it increasingly difficult to control air pollution while sustaining a healthy environment.  If each couple limited themselves to no more than 2 children, our world’s population could stabilize and support everyone without conflict or suffering. 

10. Get Involved and Talk to Your Legislators --- Many of our current governmental regulations are not strong enough to address our air pollution problems.   Citizens need to contact their legislators and ask for better policies. 

Other Air Pollution Sections:

• Introduction to Air Pollution in Wisconsin
• Ozone Pollution in Northeast Wisconsin
• Incineration Concerns
• Global Warming
• Links to More Air Pollution Information