Air pollution levels in the UK may not be the worst in the world, but they’re still pretty bad. To such an extent that up to 40,000 premature deaths every year are blamed on air pollution. For the average member of the public, there isn’t a great deal that can be done to avoid everyday air pollution outdoors. But what most fail to realise is that indoor air pollution has the potential to be 500% higher than outdoor air pollution.

…a figure that also applies to the interiors of our cars and other vehicles.

Having identified what’s clearly a “National Health Emergency”, the government is now working frantically to tackle air pollution across the country.  In the meantime, it’s important to take whatever measures are necessary to protect yourself and those closest to you. Staying safe when out and about on the roads also means thinking carefully about the air you breathe.

So with this in mind, what follows is a brief overview of six helpful tips on how to minimise air pollution in your car:

  1. First of all, try to keep your car a fair distance away from other vehicles in the vicinity, when driving in heavy traffic. It’s particularly important to avoid spending extended periods in close proximity to HGVs, buses and other large vehicles. Close the windows and set your ventilation system to recycle the air inside the car, instead of pulling in polluted air from outside.
  2. Given that congestion directly contributes to air pollution in our cars, it’s also a good idea to avoid congested routes entirely where possible. Even if it means extending the distance or the journey time, in-car pollution levels can be reduced significantly by avoiding congestion.
  3. Always remember that it isn’t just the pollutants and general dirt outside your car that you need to be aware of. Keeping the interior of your car clean and hygienic at all times can make a big difference, given the way in which dust particles, allergens, bacteria and so on have a habit of sticking around long-term.
  4. Despite their immediate superficial benefits, the vast majority of air fresheners can have a dramatic impact on the quality of the air within your car. If possible, it’s a good idea to avoid using artificial and overly strong air fresheners at all costs, sticking instead with something gentle and natural.
  5. There are plenty of electronic devices that can be purchased these days, specifically designed to filter the air and remove pollutants within vehicles. They are simply plugged into the standard outlet like any other in-car device and gently yet effectively purify the air around you.
  6. Last but not least, one of the best ways of staying safe is to avoid using the car entirely where possible. Particularly if swapping short drives for walking or cycling, you’ll benefit from a gentle workout as an added bonus.

For more information on responsible car scrapping and recycling, get in touch with a member of the Take My Scrap Car customer service team today.