Reducing Your Risk & Exposure

As physicians, our mission is to protect and improve the health of our patients and communities. In Utah, that increasingly means confronting the real and growing risks posed by air pollution, contaminated water, and toxic exposures. While we continue to advocate for systemic policy changes that address these threats at their source, we also recognize the importance of equipping individuals and families with practical tools to reduce their day-to-day exposure. The following recommendations are simple, evidence-based steps you can take to better protect your health, because everyone deserves access to clean air, safe water, and a healthy environment.

• Never be around wood smoke (campfire, controlled burns, wood fire cooked foods)
• Use air purifiers – especially in the bed room/where you’re exercising
  • Purifiers should: Capture PM .1, not PM. 3
  • CADR rating >130
  • Don’t use ionizer features
• N95 masks when pollution is moderate to high
• Healthy Diet
  • Anti-oxidants offset free radicals
  • High Fiber
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Avoid processed and pre-packaged foods
• Use plastic nanoparticle free cosmetics
• Switch from a gas stove
  • limit use if you can’t switch, and cook with ventilation
• Don’t heat up plastic or store food in plastic (use glass storage containers)
• Avoid beverages in plastic bottles (up to 240,000 particles per liter
• Use a water filter
• Get involved shaping government policy
  • voting
  • contacting representatives

More tips on every day actions you can take for a healthier community can be found below