This day was created to bring attention to, duh, the health of your lungs. DoSomething has decided to focus on indoor air pollution. Why? Because the air quality in your home and school can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Scary stuff, huh? But don’t fret, all hope isn’t lost.

Just the Facts

First you should know the dangers. The three most common and dangerous indoor air pollutants are:

1. Carbon monoxide: 400 die and thousands are sickened annually.
2. Secondhand smoke: 7,500-15,000 children are hospitalized or sickened with respiratory tract infections, and older adults with cardiovascular or lung illness are at higher risk of health problems.
3. Radon gas: It's silent. It's odorless. It's found in many American homes, and it is the second biggest cause of lung cancer, after cigarette smoke.

The effects & how to prevent them

Poor indoor air quality can cause or contribute to asthma, headaches, dry eyes, nasal congestion, nausea and fatigue. But there are some preventative steps you can take.

The single most effective way to keep the air in your home healthy is to keep things out of your home that cause air pollution, including cigarette smoke, excess moisture and chemicals.

The second most important strategy is to ventilate to pull dangerous pollutants out of the house. Run the exhaust fans in your bathroom and kitchen. Open your windows.

Buying plants can help as well. They are the lungs of the earth and produce the oxygen that makes life possible. They also filter toxins and can reduce pollutants in your home too! Just remember to get house plants grown without pesticides and pot them in ceramic or other non-plastic pots. Certain plants are especially helpful in reducing indoor air pollution:

• Aloe Vera: eliminates emissions from most toxic materials
• Fig Trees: Reduces formaldehyde
• Chrysanthemum: Toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene and ammonia
• Spider Plants: Exceptional for eliminating formaldehyde
• Chinese Evergreen, Bamboo Palm and Lillies: Many toxic materials

Most people don’t know about the dangers of indoor pollution, so get out there and educate people on how they can improve indoor air quality. Find more ways to breathe easier in our 11 ways to reduce pollution in your home. And remember to equip yourself with the facts - check out our 11 facts about air pollution. Share them with your family and friends. Post flyers around your neighborhood. Do what you can to spread the word and help keep all our lungs healthy and clean!