Improving your local air quality

Air pollution impacts us all and it's estimated that it shortens the life of many people in the UK. It particularly affects the most vulnerable, such as children and older people and those with heart and lung conditions, but there are ways we can improve air quality. 

The main pollutants in Elmbridge are the same for the rest of the country, oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) and particulate (PM10 and 2.5).

Watch the video below to see how you can improve your local air quality and reduce your exposure to air pollution.

Local outdoor air quality

There are a number of ways you can help to improve air quality outdoors.

Reducing vehicle emissions

Motor vehicles are a significant source of NOx, with diesel vehicles being a source of harmful particulates.

To help reduce emissions, you can:

• turn off your engine at red lights or in heavy traffic to reduce your emissions - most modern cars have ‘stop start’ systems that do this for you
• decide to leave your car at home and walk or cycle
• consider when you change your vehicle choosing a hybrid or electric vehicle

Reducing effects of open fires and wood burning stoves

Smoke from open fires or wood burning stoves can have a negative effect on air quality and increase harmful particulates levels particularly the harmful small particulates PM2.5. 

For more information see the open fires and wood burning stoves section under clean air. 

Garden bonfires

Try to avoid having garden bonfires. Like all burning, they can release pollutants, particularly harmful particulates. Try alternatives, such as recycling, composting or using garden waste services.

Find out more

You can read more about how you can improve air quality and the environment on Sustainable Elmbridge.

Indoor air quality

We spend a substantial part of our lives indoors, so indoor locations can result in significant exposure to air pollution. Indoor air quality is complex but typical sources of indoor pollutants include:

• emissions from building materials and furnishings
• emissions from combustion appliances - gas and solid fuel fires, cookers, and stoves
• solvents from domestic cleaning and personal care products.
• tobacco smoke
• mould
• outdoor air pollutants filtering into the home

How to improve indoor air quality

To improve indoor air quality: 

• keep rooms well aired, open windows regularly particularly when cooking, showering, cleaning and decorating
• use allergy friendly or chemical free products
• prevent condensation
• keep your home smoke free
• vacuum your home regularly, using a cleaner with a filter to catch fine particles