Solutions for Smog

Pollutants such as fumes from gasoline, solvents, paints and motor vehicles' exhaust interact with sunlight and heat to form smog. The primary element of smog, ground-level ozone, can trigger asthma attacks and respiratory illnesses and cause damage to lung tissue. By reducing the daily emissions that cause ground-level ozone, you can combat smog in your city.

Transportation

• Emissions from motor vehicles are one of the principal causes of smog. Driving less, particularly during high-volume traffic times and on hot, sunny days, combats smog production. Instead of driving, take the bus, carpool or even ride your bike. Some employers allow their employees to telecommute to work, eliminating the need to step into a vehicle all together.

  If you do decide to drive your vehicle, refrain from buying gas on days with heavy smog; wait until the evening or the following day, to prevent adding gasoline vapors to the already smoggy air. You can also switch from gasoline to an alternative fuel, such as bio-fuels, that produces less carbon monoxide. Don't allow your vehicle to idle, since idling for just one minute burns more fuel than restarting your car. Also keep your tires properly inflated and your car well-tuned, to use less gas and reduce your vehicle's emissions.

Home

• By making changes around your home, you can help solve the problem of smog and save money. Turning off lights, using your air conditioner moderately and updating your appliances to energy-efficient models can reduce smog along with your electric bill. Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs to use less electricity. You also can turn to a renewable energy source for your electrical needs, such as wind, water and solar power. These types of power do not create smog as they are generated. In your yard, rake your leaves instead of using a leaf blower, or use a push lawnmower instead of a gasoline-powered one. Gasoline-powered tools contribute to the smog problem.

Food

• Transportation of food leads to the emission of high levels of pollutants into the air, especially when the food is being shipped from other states or countries. By purchasing local goods, you are not only getting fresher produce and products but reducing vehicle-exhaust emissions. Reduce the amount of meat you eat. Meat processing requires enormous quantities of electricity. By eating a salad instead, you're not only reducing the emissions from meat production but from your own stove, since you don't have to use it to make a salad.