According to the UK government and the World Health Organisation air pollution is the largest environmental health risk we face today. Clean Air day is the UK’s national air pollution campaign. It’s a chance to find out more about air pollution and help make the air we breathe cleaner and healthier for everyone. Clean Air Day is supported by the government and co-ordinated by the environmental charity Global Action Plan and takes place this year on Thursday 20th June. Its purpose is to bring together communities, businesses, and the education and health sectors to:
- Improve public understanding of air pollution (both indoors and outdoors)
- Build awareness of how air pollution affects our health, and
- Explain some of the easy things we can all do to tackle air pollution to help protect our health and the environment
Although air quality in East Cambridgeshire is generally good compared to many other places there is still plenty we can do to change our behaviours to help improve air quality in our homes and neighbourhoods. Transport is often the main source of poor air quality. But the air quality in our homes can often be poorer than the air quality outside.
On Clean Air Day East Cambridgeshire will be encouraging staff and Members to learn more about how air pollution can affect their health, and to pledge to take actions to protect their health and improve air quality both outdoors and in the home. Ways you can make a difference might include:
- Giving your car a day off work – walk, cycle or take public transport instead
- Don’t idle your car engine - if you need to drive turn off the engine when stationary
- Using the side streets – if cycling or walking avoid the busier main roads where air quality may be poorer
- Consider switching to an electric car
- Keeping your home well ventilated
- Only burning dry well seasoned wood or smokeless fuel if you use a stove or open fire
- Choosing paints and varnishes for your home that are low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Avoiding or reducing the use of chemical cleaning products
- Avoid starting smoky fires and BBQs
On Clean Air Day we encourage everyone to make a pledge to take at least one action to improve health and air quality. And we encourage everyone to try to continue with these actions throughout the year.
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