Is reducing air pollution without government intervention even a possibility in the United States? Most people associate air pollution problems with large industries and not with their personal activities or lifestyle.

However, the pollution that each household releases into the air is significant enough that if each home reduced their air pollution contribution be even 50% there would be a high impact on the health of the atmosphere. Reducing air pollution is a personal responsibility rather than just a governmental project.

It should be said that government policies regarding large industries still require even more regulation if we want to save the planet. However, it is not the sole responsibility of the government to take care of reducing air pollution. Anyone and everyone can act responsibly. Sometimes, it is just a function of letting the public know how their activities impact the environment.

Fear of disease

While most of us realize that cars, industry, and even power boating has an impact of the quality and condition of the air, few of us consider that most of our air pollution contribution is based in our consumerism. Any given product has to undergo a process of consumerism.

It is first manufactured, packed, and then shipped to the appropriate destination. Following its time on the shelves of a store it is then purchased, driven home, and used. Its last contribution comes in the form of its waste. This profile is then multiplied the number of products available times the number of people who buy and use them.

Sometimes just doing simple things can help toward reducing air pollution, we already know that particulate air pollution is a direct cause of air pollution, each day millions of people worldwide suffer health conditions caused by not reducing air pollution.

If consumers were apt to pick up locally produced goods, buy alternative products, and stray from products which require a great deal of processing as a waste product we could all have a significant impact on the air pollution issues surrounding products.

Some companies have recognized the value in creating smaller, more concentrated materials so that the production and waste pollution can be reduced.

For instance, a cleaning product that comes in a 2 ounce tube but offers the full sized cleaning bottle can reduce air pollution once the consumer gets in the habit of filling a reusable bottle instead of buying a brand new one every two months. The reduction on waste, which releases toxins into the air even upon recycling, can really add up. If all consumers headed in this direction the effects would be accumulative and powerful.

If everyone chose all of their products based on the idea of reducing waste, including recyclables not only would manufacturers respond but we would find we experienced the added benefits of saving money as concentrated products often last longer than regular products.

Reducing air pollution isn’t an overnight fix. The road to the current level of damage to the atmosphere has been a long one and it will take some time to change the buying habits, the production habits, and even the driving habits of an entire country.

Until such time comes it is important to remember that every effort toward reducing air pollution is a valuable and much needed effort. In order to start curbing the air pollution problems of today we need everyone to participate. Choosing to participate now rather than later can only be beneficial.