Actions you can take to reduce your exposure to air pollution

There is no safe level of air pollution, but there are actions you can take to reduce your exposure.

You should try to reduce your exposure to air pollution where you can, even when levels are low. Long term exposure to air pollution (over years) can lead to many different health conditions and reduce life expectancy.

Urban areas

Urban areas have more than 10,000 residents, for example a large town or a city.

Consider the following actions if you live or work in an urban area:

if you need to walk next to a busy road, keep as far from the edge of the road as you can – putting even a short distance between yourself and the source of pollution reduces the amount of pollution you breathe in
avoid driving in heavy traffic – sitting in traffic can expose you to high levels of pollution
check pollution forecasts to help you plan outdoor activities

Rural areas have less than 10,000 residents, for example a village, hamlet or small town.

Some pollutants are often higher in the countryside, such as ozone.

Consider the following actions if you live or work in a rural area:

check for agricultural activities and plan to avoid them – ploughing fields, spreading fertilisers, and spraying pesticides can all increase air pollution levels
avoid bonfires and burning garden waste
check pollution forecasts – pollution can travel long distances and you cannot always see the sources

Consider the following actions in any area:

take routes where there is less traffic, especially at busy times of day
commute, walk or exercise in parks or other green spaces, if you are not affected by pollen
if you exercise indoors, make sure the room is well ventilated

The air quality indoors is not always better than outdoors.

Consider the following actions to improve your indoor air quality:

avoid smoking or vaping indoors
ventilate when cooking – for example, use an extractor fan or open windows
avoid burning on a stove or open fire if you can
check labels on cleaning products, aerosols and paints – look for products labelled as low emission or "low VOC"

If you need to use cleaning products, aerosols and paints indoors, follow the manufacturer's instructions and use them in a ventilated area.

Consider the following actions to reduce your air pollution:

walk, cycle and use public transport more frequently
drive less, and when you do drive, drive smarter – car share if you can, turn your engine off when you're not moving, and keep your vehicle well maintained
consider switching to a hybrid or electric vehicle
compost or take garden waste to a refuse centre rather than burning it
avoid unnecessary burning at home – for example, using a wood burner or open fire
if you need to burn wood or other fuel for heating, make sure you use Ready to Burn fuels and keep your appliances clean and maintained