Clean air planner

Air pollution is the biggest environmental threat to our health, no matter who you are or where you live. The burden of long-term exposure to air pollution in the UK is estimated to be equivalent to 29,000 to 43,000 annual deaths for adults aged 30 and over.

This tool will help you understand the problem, avoid polluted air, and reduce the air pollution you create, both indoors and out.

Taking action to decrease air pollution can also have additional benefits such as improving your mental and physical health.

By answering a few questions, you can create your personalised air pollution action plan.

The information you provide is not seen, tracked or stored by us, or anyone else, in any way.

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About you

Name (optional)

How old are you? *18-3435-5455+

Do you have any of the following health conditions? *YesNolung disease, heart conditions, cancer, type 2 diabetes, asthma, bronchitis, dementia/alzheimer’s, bacterial pneumonia, stroke, high blood pressure

Are you pregnant or a parent / guardian with children aged 0-11? *PregnantParent/Guardian with children ages 0-11BothNo

Do you have mobility issues? *YesNo

Your lifestyle

Do you… *Rent your homeOwn your homeNeither / Other

Do you have and use a wood burning stove or open fire? *YesI am thinking about getting oneNo

Do you drive or are you thinking about learning to drive? *Yes, I driveI am (thinking about) learning to driveNo, I don’t drive

Do you have the option to work from home/remotely? *YesSometimes / maybe / not sureNoN/A

Are you interested in learning how to create wider changes in society that would improve air quality? *YesMaybeNo

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Name, here are your results

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Here are your results

Your health

row 2 - simple stepsThere are simple steps you can take to help avoid polluted air and cut down the air pollution you create. Any changes you can make will lead to health improvements for you and benefit your local community.

row 3 - as you get olderAs you get older, you are even more susceptible to the negative health impacts of air pollution, especially if you have an existing health condition. You should consider taking action to reduce your exposure to air pollution in order to protect your health

row 5 - air pollution is more dangerousAir pollution is more dangerous for adults and children with health conditions. People with health conditions that affect the lungs, heart or brain are particularly at risk.

rows 4, 6

Check the air quality forecast near you at UK Air or follow @DefraUKAir on Twitter for air quality alerts. When pollution levels are high, you should follow advice to protect your health.

rows 4, 6 B health conditions and not pregnant

Check the air quality forecast near you at UK Air or follow @DefraUKAir on Twitter for air quality alerts. When pollution levels are high, you should follow advice to protect your health.

Your Family

row 7 - air pollution is a risk factorAir pollution is a risk factor for both you and your baby during your pregnancy. It can lower your baby's birth weight, increase the possibility of their lungs being underdeveloped, and affect their other organs. Young children under five are also more vulnerable to the harms of air pollution.

row 9 - air pollution is a risk pregnant and parentAir pollution is a risk factor for both you and your baby during your pregnancy. It can lower your baby's birth weight, increase the possibility of their lungs being underdeveloped, and affect their other organs.

row 10 - children are more vulnChildren are more vulnerable to air pollution because their organs and immune systems are still developing, and they have faster breathing rates than adults. Young children are often closer to car exhausts because of their height (both walking or in a pushchair). Being exposed to air pollution can affect children’s lung function and lead to the development of asthma.

row 8

Check the air quality forecast near you at UK Air or follow @DefraUKAir on Twitter for air quality alerts. When pollution levels are high, you should follow advice to protect your health.

Reducing your exposure to air pollution

When you’re out and about

row 11 - by taking actionBy taking action to decrease your exposure to air pollution during your pregnancy and after your baby is born, you will be protecting both your and your child's health.

row 12 - important for your healthIt is important for your health to avoid high air pollution places and doing so can have a positive impact on your quality of life. You can reduce your air pollution exposure in the following ways:

row 13It is important for your health to avoid high air pollution places, especially if you have a health condition. Doing so can have a positive impact on your quality of life, such as being able to breathe more easily. You can reduce your air pollution exposure in the following ways:

row 14

Discover the side streets – use quieter streets instead of main roads when you’re walking or wheeling if it is safe to do so and they are well lit.

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Keep to the side of the pavement that’s furthest away from the road and sources of air pollution such as vehicle exhausts. Remember every metre matters.

row 16 - choose to exercise

If you choose to exercise outdoors, try using side streets or green spaces, and if possible do so outside of peak pollution times.

row 17 - pregnant excersise

If you choose to exercise outdoors (recommendation during pregnancy), try gentle exercise on side streets or in green spaces outside of peak pollution times.

At home

row 18+19 - burning solid fuels

Burning solid fuels is a major cause of air pollution in and around your home. It produces small particles that are especially bad for your health and those around you. By not using an open fire or wood burner, you will avoid producing pollution inside your home and in your neighbourhood, and could save you money.

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If you have an alternative source of heating, avoid using your open fire or wood burner. If wood burning is the only option for heating your home burn better by only burning dry, “Ready to Burn” certified fuel in a modern Ecodesign and Defra-exempted stove. Read more about wood burners at the Clean Air Hub.

row 21If you already have an alternative source of heating, such as central heating, it is better for your health to keep using that.

row 22Making simple and often affordable changes in your home can help reduce air pollution and have a positive impact on your health and those around you.

row 23a

Ventilate your home by opening windows. If you live on a main road, try to only open windows away from the road and avoid doing so at times of peak traffic.

row 23b

Use extractor fans and ventilation hoods (if you have them) when cooking, cleaning and showering. This helps to remove pollutants and moisture, preventing problems such as damp and mould. Make sure any filters are changed regularly.

row 24

Where possible, consider switching to fragrance-free cleaning and personal care products and look for a "low VOC" emblem when buying items like paint and varnish. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are harmful, sometimes carcinogenic pollutants which are very bad for your health when inhaled, even for a short time.

row 25As a tenant, your landlord has a responsibility to protect your home from mould, damp and carbon monoxide, which contribute to poor indoor air quality.

row 26

Ask your landlord to organise an annual gas safety inspection on all gas appliances in your home to check for carbon monoxide leads (a deadly gas you cannot smell). Shelter provide a useful template to help you request this.

row 27

Consider buying an air filter (sometimes called an air purifier) to help reduce indoor pollution. A good air filter can remove harmful pollutants from the air, control dust levels and prevent the spread of mould spores. Read more about air purifiers.

row 28

If you have mould or damp in your home, talk to your landlord / housing association and demand action. Find more information and advice on what to do (provided by Shelter).

row 29

Get your boiler serviced annually to ensure it is efficient and minimises gas emissions such as carbon monoxide (a deadly gas you can't smell). An efficient boiler will also be cheaper to run. Consider getting an up-to-date carbon monoxide monitor to check levels in your home.

Reducing your contribution to air pollution

Travel

row 30

Traffic emissions are the single biggest source of air pollution in the UK. Consider reducing your car journeys and choose walking or wheeling where possible. This will have additional physical and mental health benefits for you, as well as helping to reduce air pollution. When driving, there are actions you can take to reduce your emissions and drive more economically:

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row 32

Consider joining a car club or sharing a car. Car clubs can help reduce air pollution and traffic, with more people using fewer, more efficient cars. It can often work out cheaper than owning your own car. Search for a car club near you or read the Energy Saving Trust guide 'everything you need to know about car clubs'.

row 33

Eco-drive to save fuel and money. You can do this by maintaining the right tyre pressure, using higher gears, keeping a steady speed and reducing heavy braking. Read more tips from the Energy Saving Trust, the AA, or RAC on economical driving.

row 33b

row 34

Don't idle – turn off your engine when your vehicle is stationary and it is safe to do so. Not idling will decrease the pollution level in your vehicle, use less fuel and save money.

row 34b

Don't idle. Turn off your engine when your vehicle is stationary, and it is practical and safe to do so. Not idling will decrease the pollution level in your vehicle, use less fuel and save money.

Working from home

row 35Working remotely can reduce your contribution to air pollution, especially if you usually drive to work or work a long distance from home.

row 36

If possible, work from home more often or consider using a co-working space closer to home. You can search for a location at Coworker.com.

row 37If it is possible to work from home sometimes, you could talk to your manager about trialling this. This could be working from home or using a co-working space.

row 38

If possible, avoid non-essential home deliveries as they contribute to air pollution and use click and collect services instead. Read more about non-essential deliveries.

Wider change

row 39

Any changes you make as an individual will make a difference to your health and those around you. You can also ask for wider changes in society to improve air pollution:

row 41

Be a role model for others in your community - start open conversations with your family and friends about air pollution and how they can decrease their contribution and exposure.

row 40

Contact your MP, local councillor or other decision makers to ask them to prioritise action on air pollution. Template letters can be found on the Action for Clean Air website.

row 42Find out how to introduce a 'school street' and reduce traffic at your child's school during pick-up and drop-off times.

Further support

row 43

Find out more about air pollution, what it is, the impacts that it has on people and planet, on the Clean Air Hub.

row 44Find out more ways you can reduce the air pollution you create with the Clean Air Calculator.

row 45

Find out what air pollution levels are like where you live.

row 46Read more about how to avoid air pollution when you are pregnant.