Dirty Air

By Craig Gerard

When I first arrived in Phnom Penh, I was shocked by the number of doctors and nurses who were driving around the city. But after a few tuk tuk rides, I realized the brilliance of the surgical mask while commuting; it keeps out the pollution. Or does it?

According to Time Magazine, “Surgical masks can't filter out the relatively tiny particles and gases like nitrogen dioxide that cause the most damage to your body.” Instead of avoiding pollutants, we should focus on reducing them. Yet every day we add to the problem by driving to work solo in our SUVs or wasting electricity. According to an Environmental Defense report, “The generation of electric power produces more pollution than any other single industry in the United States.” Below is a modified list of suggestions from the Environmental Protection Agency’s website on ways to reduce air pollution.

Drive Wise

• Ride your bike, take a cyclo or walk whenever possible. Not only will you reduce pollution, you’ll get in shape.
• Plan your trips with an efficient route. Save gasoline and reduce air pollution.
• Keep tires properly inflated and aligned.
• In warm weather, fill gas tank during cooler morning hours to cut down on evaporation. Avoid spilling gas and don't "top off" the tank. Replace gas tank cap tightly.
• Avoid waiting in long drive‐thru lines, for example, at fast‐food restaurants or banks. Park your car and go in.
• Get regular engine tune ups and car maintenance checks (especially for the spark plugs).
• Use energy‐conserving (EC) grade motor oil.
• Ask your supervisor to consider flexible work schedules or telecommuting.
• Reduce unnecessary trips. Video conference instead of flying when possible.
• Join a carpool to get to work.

At Home

• Conserve energy ‐ turn off appliances and lights when you leave the room.
• Plant deciduous trees in locations around your home to provide shade in the summer, but to allow light in the winter.
• Buy green electricity‐produced by low‐or even zero‐pollution facilities.
• Connect your outdoor lights to a timer or use solar lighting.
• Wash clothes with warm or cold water instead of hot.
• Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120°F.
• Quit smoking. At the very least, choose not to smoke in your home, especially if you have children. If you or your visitors must smoke, then smoke outside.

Buy Smart

• Buy ENERGY STAR products, including energy efficient lighting and appliances. They are environmentally friendly products.
• Choose efficient, low‐polluting models of vehicles. Visit www.epa.gov/greenvehicles.
• Choose products that have less packaging and are reusable.
• Shop with a canvas bag instead of using paper andplastic bags.
• Buy rechargeable batteries for devices used frequently.

While not all of these are feasible in Cambodia, changing our habits one notion at a time will make a large impact in the long run, and help ingrain a Green Philosophy to pass on to our children. If we can make significant changes now, maybe when they come back to Phnom Penh in 30 years, they won’t see any surgical masks on the road.