How to Prevent Smog

Smog results from a complex reaction of volatile organic compounds, which include everything from pesticides to glue, nitrogen oxides and sunlight that form ground-level ozone. This ozone layer mixes with particles of metals, soot, and motor vehicle emissions that turn the ozone a murky color. The worst smog occurs in areas with heavy traffic, high temperatures, sunshine and calm wind. The Environmental Protection Agency expects smog levels to rise as temperatures increase due to global warming. Smog is unattractive, reduces lung capacity and severely impacts individuals with existing lung or heart problems.

Instructions

• 1

  Reduce your driving. Combine errands, carpool or park in an area central to several locations you plan to visit and walk. An average 22-minute, 12-mile drive results in half of the non-methane hydrocarbon emissions that contribute to smog, and half of the toxic carbon monoxide emissions. The catalytic converter, which is responsible for lowering vehicle emissions, is ineffective until it reaches the operating temperature needed to activate the catalyst.

• 2

  Use public transportation, such as trains and buses, ride a bike or walk. If you leave your vehicle at home two days a week, you will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 1,600 pounds per year, according to the EPA.

• 3

  Tune your vehicle, properly inflate the tires, keep the filters clean, avoid overfilling the gas tank and accelerate slowly. Use cruise control on highways when traffic is flowing freely.

• 4

  Shop on the Internet or from catalogs to reduce driving to stores.

• 5

  Ask your employer if you can telecommute. Use video or teleconferences instead of driving or flying to meetings.

• 6

  Replace at least five conventional bulbs in your home with compact fluorescent light bulbs. If each U.S. household replaced five bulbs, according to the EPA, "We would prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions from nearly 10 million cars." Turn off lights when you leave the room to reduce your impact even more and save money.

• 7

  Use Energy Star appliances. Dry your clothes on a clothes line. Install an indoor clothes line for use during inclement weather or if you lack a yard.

• 8

  Install an automatic thermostat. A programmable thermostat turns your furnace, air conditioner or heat pump off when it is unnecessary. Hire a professional to tune your furnace, air conditioner or heat pump each year.

• 9

  Insulate your water heater and add additional insulation to your home if you own it. Seal all air leaks.

• 10

  Recycle everything you can in your area. Purchase products manufactured from recycled materials. This conserves energy and reduces pollution and greenhouse gases from manufacturing.

• 11

  Switch to paperless billing and autopay to reduce paper use and shipping.