Take a deep breath if you can

“Breath is the finest gift of nature. Be grateful for this wonderful gift,” says Indian author and teacher Amit Ray. So does Judi Bar, the yoga program manager at Cleveland Clinic Wellness. They’re right!

Unfortunately, there have been at least 10 rollbacks of U.S. air pollution and emission standards in the past few years, with more proposed. The recent federally lowered standards for air quality include:

— Canceling the requirement that oil and gas companies report methane emissions and rolling back limits on methane emissions on public lands.

— Reversing rules forcing major polluters to control emissions of known toxins into the air.

— Stopping enforcement of a 2015 rule that prohibited the use of the greenhouse gases called hydrofluorocarbons in air conditioners and refrigerators.

A new study, “Health Benefits of Air Pollution Reduction,” by the Environmental Committee of the Forum of International Respiratory Societies reports that a 13-month closure of a steel mill in Utah slashed hospital admissions in the area for pneumonia, pleurisy, bronchitis and asthma by half. The number of kids absent from school dropped an astounding 40%, daily mortality rates fell with every decline in measured pollutants in the air and there were fewer premature births.

Clearly local, state and the federal governments need to help reduce air pollution. Also, dayto-day, you can do a lot to protect your health and the air.

1. Exercise in green spaces or rural areas when possible.

2. Avoid outdoor exercise on days when air quality is poor. Check www.airnow.gov for quality reports in your locale.

3. Use indoor air filters to maximize air quality at home.

4. Take steps (10,000 a day is good) to make yourself less vulnerable to health risks. Improve your diet; eliminate foods like red and processed meats and ultraprocessed foods from your diet.