Six ways to reduce air pollution

To celebrate Clean Air Day (20 June) we’re sharing our top tips to help you reduce air pollution and your exposure to it.
Tip 1 Leave your car at home
Did you know that car drivers are exposed to twice as much air pollution as pedestrians and nine times more than a cyclist? Walking, cycling or using a bus or train instead helps lower the amount of pollution in the air and your exposure to it!
Tip 2 Give your car a break
Working from home a day or two a week, swapping face-to-face meetings for video calls and making use of car sharing schemes are all easy ways to use your car less.
Tip 3 Avoid unnecessary exposure
Walking or cycling down quieter side streets can lower your exposure to air pollution by 20%.
Tip 4 Drive efficiently
Keep your tyres inflated and regularly service your car to make sure it runs efficiently and cleanly, saving you money on fuel and reducing your impact on air quality.
If you’re sat in traffic, turn off your engine - it really does make a difference!
Tip 5 Use less polluting products at home
Chemicals in everyday household products called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a major contributor to air pollution.
Open your windows when using cleaning products to make sure you get enough fresh air into your home. Buy paint labelled as containing low VOCs and minimize you use of air fresheners, candles and incense.
Tip 6 Burn less wood
If you have garden waste to dispose of, rather than putting it on a bon fire, why not join the Council’s Garden Waste Scheme. Save your wood-burning stove for when you really need it, make sure it’s Defra-approved and only use authorised fuel.
To find out more visit www.eastleigh.gov.uk/airquality