Taking Action
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Identify actions individuals can take to protect themselves from air pollution
- Describe community-level solutions for improving air quality
- Evaluate the effectiveness of different intervention strategies
- Create an action plan for improving air quality in their environment
The Good News
You now understand why air quality matters. So what can you do about it?
The good news: there are actions at every level—personal, household, school, and community—that can make a real difference!
Level 1: Personal Actions
| Action | How It Helps | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Check AQI before outdoor activities | Avoid high exposure times | Easy |
| Reduce outdoor exertion on bad air days | Less air inhaled = less exposure | Easy |
| Use N95/KN95 mask on smoky days | Filters out PM2.5 | Easy |
| Walk/bike/transit instead of driving | Reduces your contribution to pollution | Medium |
| Share air quality info with others | Helps more people protect themselves | Easy |
Level 2: Household Actions
| Action | How It Helps | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Use range hood when cooking | Removes cooking particles at source | Free (if you have one) |
| Upgrade HVAC filter to MERV-13+ | Filters air circulating through home | $15-30/filter |
| Use portable HEPA air purifier | Cleans air in a specific room | $100-300 |
| Build a Corsi-Rosenthal box | DIY air cleaner, very effective | $50-80 |
| Avoid candles, incense, smoking indoors | Eliminates major indoor PM sources | Free |
| Vacuum with HEPA filter | Removes particles without resuspending | $100-300 |
Level 3: School Actions
Student-Led
- Start an air quality club
- Monitor classroom CO2
- Build CR boxes for classrooms
- Educate other students
- Advocate for better ventilation
School Administration
- Upgrade HVAC filters
- Improve ventilation
- Install air purifiers
- Create wildfire smoke plans
- Move recess on bad air days
Level 4: Community Actions
- Support clean air policies — Let elected officials know air quality matters to you
- Participate in community monitoring — Help collect local air quality data
- Plant trees — Urban forests help filter air and reduce heat
- Support public transit — Reduces vehicle emissions
- Advocate for environmental justice — Ensure all communities have clean air
- Share knowledge — Teach others what you've learned
Activity: Create an Action Plan
Your Clean Air Action Plan
Create a plan with at least one action at each level:
| Level | Action I Will Take | When | Resources Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal | |||
| Household | |||
| School | |||
| Community |
Unit 5 Summary
Health Burden
Air pollution is a top global health risk, causing 7 million deaths/year. The AQI helps us understand daily risk.
Respiratory Effects
Asthma and allergies are triggered and worsened by air pollution. 25 million Americans have asthma.
Systemic Effects
Air pollution affects heart, brain, and other organs. More deaths from heart disease than lung disease.
Environmental Justice
Pollution exposure is unequal. Low-income communities and communities of color face higher burdens.
Key Takeaway
Knowledge is power. Now that you understand how air quality affects health, you can take action at every level—from personal choices to community advocacy. Clean air is not just an environmental issue; it's a health issue and a justice issue. Every action you take to improve air quality helps protect yourself, your family, and your community.