If you’re living in a city with high pollution levels, you may be wondering, “How can I live a healthy lifestyle while living in a city with high air pollution?” In order to avoid breathing in the pollutants, avoid the most heavily-traveled areas and exercise before rush hour. Also, limit the amount of time you spend in parking garages – they can be a trap for exhaust fumes.
While most people assume that living in a city with higher air pollution levels is better than a city with low air pollution, this is not necessarily true. In fact, you’re still exposed to the same pollutants, even if you don’t commute to work or school. Avoid sitting in traffic or using public transportation, and if you must, wear a mask and stay indoors. EPA’s AirNow feature provides information about air quality around the country. EPA’s air quality ratings range from “Good” to “Hazardous.”
It is important to recognize that the United States isn’t the only country in the world with air pollution problems. As industrialization continues to grow in regions across the globe, more countries are faced with the problem of unhealthy air. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution is a global problem. In 2016, 92% of the population lived in areas with high pollution. Two out of every three deaths caused by air pollution occur in the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia.
