How To Reduce Air Pollution In 2026
Learn about 10 ways to reduce air pollution - from small changes to big actions.
You’re not alone in feeling air pollution from traffic fumes, wildfire smoke, industrial emissions and indoor pollutants. The World Health Organization reports that 99% of people breathe air that exceeds WHO guideline limits.
Air pollution includes harmful pollutants such as particulate matter (PM2.5/PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ground-level ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and lead. These are the six “criteria pollutants” tracked by the EPA in U.S. air-quality standards.
Many of us are left wondering: How can we reduce air pollution? Rethinking transportation habits, using energy wisely, choosing efficient appliances, adopting eco-friendly practices at home and in our yards, building sustainably, and making mindful product and food choices all help.
Our nonprofit's 2026 guide covers both immediate personal actions and longer-term community solutions, from reducing vehicle pollution to protecting your household.
Key Takeaways (2026)
- Air pollution affects nearly everyone. The combined impacts of ambient + household air pollution are associated with ~6.7 million premature deaths per year according to WHO.
- Transportation remains a major driver in the U.S. Transportation is the largest source of direct U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in the EPA’s latest inventory summary.
- Heat and smoke can increase exposure risks. Recent years have brought widespread heat extremes and smoke events that can rapidly push AQI into unhealthy ranges.
- The biggest everyday lever: drive less, drive cleaner, and reduce fossil fuel use at home whenever possible.
Protect yourself on bad air days: When AQI is unhealthy (especially during wildfire smoke), keep windows closed, run your heating/cooling system with a clean filter (use “recirculate” if your system has it), and use a properly sized HEPA air cleaner in one “clean room.” EPA guidance (smoke + indoor air emergencies).
- Check the AQI daily (especially in summer and during wildfire smoke season): AirNow.gov.
- Reduce strenuous outdoor activity when AQI is elevated (especially for kids, older adults, and people with asthma or heart/lung conditions).
- Avoid high-traffic areas for walks and runs — choose parks or quieter streets when possible.
Air pollution vs. exposure: Reducing pollution helps everyone; reducing exposure protects you on high-smoke/high-ozone days.
1. Cut Gasoline And Diesel Use
There are a few ways you can cut back on air pollution from gasoline and diesel (avoid idling, consolidate car trips to drive less, stop at the click when filling up your fuel tank, and maintain your vehicle regularly).
However, as the primary source of air pollution in the US is automobiles, the most impactful step Americans can take to reduce air pollution is to go gasoline- and diesel-free altogether.
The US is by far the biggest gasoline user on the planet, consuming almost 35% of the world’s gasoline.
Opting for alternative means of transportation reduces the pollutants that contribute to both urban smog and greenhouse gases, positively impacting air quality. Learn more about vehicle pollution.
Consider Not Owning A Vehicle
Depending on where you live and your mobility needs, you may be better off not owning a car. Consider switching to walking, cycling, scootering, skateboarding, e-biking, or (ideally clean electric) public transit and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft.
The potential savings on car payments, finance charges, maintenance, taxes, fees, tires, insurance, depreciation, fuel, parking, and tolls might make the shift well worth your while.
2. Go Electric
If you do need to drive, go electric. Electric vehicles (EVs) produce zero tailpipe emissions. Over the lifecycle of the vehicle, EVs significantly help reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector in all 50 states.
The switch to an electric vehicle (EV) is easier than most people think. There are makes and models of EVs to fit every budget, and more models are coming out every year.
ℹ️ Learn more about switching to an EV and try the EV Savings Calculator.
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3. Use Less Energy At Home
Using less energy reduces pollution from power generation (especially where electricity still comes partly from fossil fuels). Start with simple wins: turn off unused devices, unplug chargers to reduce “phantom” load, and use a power strip (or smart power strip) so you can switch off multiple devices at once.
At Home: Cut Pollution And Cut Bills
- Use efficient lighting and turn lights off when you leave a room.
- Adjust your thermostat and use fans when possible (instead of running AC nonstop).
- Seal drafts and add insulation to reduce heating/cooling demand.
- Air-dry clothes when you can (cuts energy demand and upstream emissions).
Adjusting your thermostat, switching to efficient lighting, and sealing drafts also lowers energy use. Learn more: easy ways to save energy at home and home energy audits.
4. Choose Efficient Appliances And Heating Systems
Choose ENERGY STAR appliances when replacing old equipment. Consider upgrades like smart thermostats and efficient heat pumps: heat pump systems.
Hot water matters too: when you can, improve “hot water efficiency” with upgrades like a low-flow showerhead and insulating your water heater or hot-water pipes.
If you’re planning bigger upgrades, this can be a good on-ramp to home electrification: electrifying your home.
5. Adopt Eco-Friendly Yard & Garden Practices
Here are six practical ways to make your yard and garden more air-quality friendly:
- Organic gardening and native plants reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, cutting pollution.
- Planting trees and green spaces also helps absorb pollutants and cool urban areas.
- Use electric (or manual) tools instead of gas-powered equipment when you can. They’re quieter and cleaner than gas-powered models.
- Skip leaf blowers when possible — try a rake or broom for sidewalks, patios, and small areas.
- Mulch or compost leaves instead of burning or bagging them.
- Avoid burning yard waste or trash and follow local advisories on poor air days to limit harmful emissions.
6. Build Sustainably
If you’re renovating or building, prioritize efficiency and durable, lower-impact materials. Features like green roofs can help with heat and stormwater, and solar can reduce power-related emissions: solar overview.
You may also be eligible for assistance programs: Weatherization Assistance Program.
7. Reduce, Reuse, And Recycle
Minimizing waste reduces the need for landfills and incinerators, which emit pollutants.
Composting organic waste prevents methane emissions
Avoiding single-use plastics cuts pollution from plastic production and disposal.
A practical, everyday habit that reduces both waste and energy use: run your dishwasher and laundry only when full (and wash in cold water when you can).
ℹ️ For more information, refer to the EPA’s Reduce, Reuse, Recycle page.
8. Select Sustainable Products
Many household products release VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that can contribute to smog outdoors and irritate indoor air. Choose low- or zero-VOC paints, sealants, and cleaners, and reduce heavily scented products that can contribute to indoor VOC levels.
- Avoid aerosol sprays when possible — especially on high-ozone days.
- Keep lids closed on paints, cleaners, and solvents, and store them in airtight containers to reduce evaporation.
- Use a brush or roller instead of a sprayer when possible (spraying can increase overspray and airborne chemicals).
ℹ️ Read more on the EPA’s guide on VOCs and indoor air quality and learn about Green Seal’s certifications for low-VOC products.
💡 Air pollution reduction pro tip: For home deliveries, request all items in one shipment with minimal packaging. Choose flexible delivery windows to help trucks optimize routes and reduce extra trips.
9. Make Mindful Food Choices
Food choices affect pollution through farming inputs and transport.
Eating more plant-forward meals, buying seasonal foods, shopping local (including farmers markets), and reducing meat and dairy when you can are practical ways to cut your footprint. Reducing food waste helps too.
ℹ️ For more, see Harvard’s climate-friendly diet guide.
10. Champion Clean Air
Individual choices matter — and so do the systems around us. Support clean transportation, clean energy, and healthier land-use decisions in your community.
Participating in local clean-up events and supporting renewable energy policies directly contributes to better air quality.
Advocating for cleaner public transit options, like electric buses, reduces urban air pollution and makes cities healthier for everyone.
Want to stand with a nonprofit in the fight for clean air? Join Coltura — the nonprofit behind the Beyond Gasoline Movement — focused on cutting vehicle pollution and helping communities move beyond gasoline. Learn what you can do: Take action.
Gasoline is the biggest source of carbon emissions.
“Getting off gasoline is critical, yet very few organizations have put resources towards it. That’s why I joined Coltura.”
- Janelle London, Co-Executive Director of Coltura
20 More Quick Ways To Reduce Air Pollution
Outdoor Air Pollution (Cut Emissions)
- Swap one short car trip per week for walking, biking, or an e-bike.
- Combine errands to avoid extra miles (one loop is better than three separate drives).
- Work from home one extra day per week (if possible).
- Carpool for commutes or school drop-off.
- Choose “no-idle” pickup habits (and avoid drive-through idling hotspots).
- Drive smoothly: obey speed limits and accelerate gradually.
- Keep tires properly inflated and address check-engine/emissions issues promptly.
- Complete required smog checks / vehicle inspections (and fix problems if your vehicle fails).
- Report smoking vehicles if your state or local air agency offers a hotline or online reporting tool.
- Don’t burn trash (or use burn barrels), and avoid backyard burning on poor-air days.
Indoor Air (Reduce Exposure)
- Use a properly sized HEPA air cleaner in a bedroom during smoke season.
- Change HVAC filters on schedule (use the highest-rated filter your system supports).
- Keep windows closed during wildfire smoke events or high-ozone alerts.
- Ventilate during cooking (use a range hood that vents outside if available).
- Choose low- or zero-VOC paint, sealants, and cleaners.
- Avoid aerosol sprays when you can, especially on high-ozone days.
- Prevent mold: fix leaks quickly and manage humidity.
- Use fans when possible and reduce unnecessary AC use.
- Use a power strip (or smart strip) to switch off electronics and cut “phantom” load.
- Improve hot water efficiency: install a low-flow showerhead and insulate your water heater or hot-water pipes.
How To Reduce Indoor Air Pollution (At Home)
Indoor air pollution is its own category of risk — and it often needs different solutions than outdoor air. Start with these high-impact steps:
- Ventilate when cooking, cleaning, or painting (and use a range hood if you have one).
- Control sources: reduce smoke, fragrance-heavy products, and high-VOC materials.
- Filter with a well-sized HEPA air cleaner (especially during wildfire smoke events).
- Maintain HVAC: replace filters and keep systems clean.
- Prevent mold: fix leaks quickly and manage humidity.
EPA resources: Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home and Emergencies and Indoor Air Quality.
Community + Policy Solutions To Air Pollution
Individual actions matter — but the biggest sustained improvements usually come from community-scale solutions:
- Clean transportation: electrify buses, expand reliable transit, and build safe bike/walk networks.
- Clean zones: policies like Low Emission Zones or Clean Air Zones can reduce high-pollution traffic in dense areas.
- Cleaner vehicles and fuels: stronger standards and faster EV adoption reduce tailpipe pollution.
- Buildings & heating: efficiency upgrades and electrification reduce combustion-related pollution.
- Health-forward planning: reduce freeway exposure near homes/schools and improve urban tree canopy.
- Industrial emissions controls: modernize equipment and enforce pollution limits.
Learn More About Reducing Pollution By Reducing Gasoline Use
The US is by far the biggest gasoline user on the planet, consuming over 1/3 of the world’s gasoline.
- A gallon of gasoline burned emits about 20 pounds of CO2.
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Vehicle emissions can include toxic pollutants such as carbon monoxide and smog-forming VOCs and NOx. More details: AFDC emissions and pollutants overview.
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Transportation is the largest source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and gasoline/diesel use in transportation is a major driver of U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions.
In the U.S., a relatively small share of drivers account for a disproportionate share of gasoline consumption. Coltura’s research refers to these drivers as Gasoline Superusers.
Coltura is developing and supporting state-level policies that help high-mileage drivers — especially those in lower-income communities — transition to cleaner, lower-cost options.
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*Disclaimer: This tool is only intended to provide an estimate of potential savings. Actual results will vary. Learn more about the calculation and the Electric vs Gas Calculator here.
Conclusion
Air pollution is killing us. It poisons the air we breathe, causing devastating health impacts for millions of people every year. Every day that passes means more harmful emissions polluting our air, more children developing asthma, more lives cut short.
Tackling air pollution starts with individual choices and community efforts. Simple actions—reducing energy use and supporting sustainable policies—can lead to healthier air. Organizations like Coltura are driving impactful changes by helping drivers transition away from gasoline, the largest source of U.S. carbon emissions.
Consider cutting gasoline to make the biggest impact on pollution reduction and join the movement to move beyond gasoline for cleaner air.
Help Build a Healthier Tomorrow
Join thousands of others making the switch to cleaner transportation! Sign up for our nonprofit’s Beyond Gasoline newsletter to stay up to date on the growing movement.
FAQ: Reducing Air Pollution and Its Impact
Why is air pollution a serious health issue?
Air pollution contains harmful pollutants like particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide, which can penetrate the lungs and bloodstream. This increases the risk of heart disease, strokes, respiratory illnesses, and cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 99% of the global population breathes air exceeding safe levels.
What are the main sources of air pollution in the U.S.?
The primary sources are vehicle emissions, particularly from gasoline and diesel engines, which produce pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. Transportation is the largest contributor to air pollution in the U.S., responsible for a significant share of carbon emissions.
How does gasoline use affect air pollution?
Gasoline combustion releases pollutants such as carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and nitrogen oxides, which contribute to smog and greenhouse gas emissions.
What can individuals do to reduce air pollution?
Individuals can reduce air pollution by:
- Reducing gasoline use
- Using less energy at home
- Choosing energy-efficient appliances
- Opting for sustainable transportation like walking, biking, or public transit
- Adopting eco-friendly gardening and recycling practices
What is the most impactful way to reduce air pollution?
Switching to electric vehicles or using alternative transportation like biking, walking, or public transit is the most effective way to reduce air pollution for many individuals in the U.S. This eliminates tailpipe emissions from gasoline and diesel vehicles.