Air Pollution Affects More than Your Overall Health
According to a study conducted by the International Food Policy Research Institute, breathing polluted air is attributed to “significantly reduced” verbal and math scores, and cognitive impairment that can lead to an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
What can you do?
Although the United States experiences lower air pollution than other major countries, it’s important to be aware of how your daily activities can contribute to air pollution. Here are some things to consider:
- Research the household products that you use to determine if they’re harmful to the environment.
- Monitor home and working environments to make sure that there are adequate airflow and proper exhaust systems installed.
- Refrain from smoking, especially indoors, to make sure that this specific type of smoke doesn’t pollute the air you’re breathing.
Don’t Forget About Indoor Air Pollution
Americans spend 90 percent of their lives indoors, where the air is 2-5x more polluted than outdoor air.
The most common pollutants are:
Airborne Particles Indoor formaldehyde Household gases Ozone
Nutritional Information (per serving)
| Total Calories | 365 |
| Total Fat | 6 g |
| Protein | 16 g |
| Carbohydrates | 61 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 5 g |
| Saturated Fat | 2 g |
| Sodium | 558 mg |
| Total Sugars | 8 g |
Source: USDA
Pasta Primavera Salad
Ingredients
- 12 ounces whole-grain pasta
- 1 package frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 package dry vegetable soup mix
- 1 cup low-fat salad dressing (unsalted)
- ½ cup reduced-fat cheese (shredded)
- 3 hard-boiled eggs (sliced)
Preparations
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse in cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Drain.
- Cook vegetables until just tender. Drain and cool.
- Combine cold pasta, vegetables, envelope of soup mix and salad dressing.
- Top with sliced eggs and cheese.
- Refrigerate until time to serve.
Makes: 6 servings
This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as professional advice. Readers should contact a health professional for appropriate advice.