Air pollution is a universal threat to the public, and not just in cities with smoggy reputations like Beijing, Mumbai and Los Angeles. According to the World Health Organization, about 6.5 million deaths are associated with fouled air annually, and, shockingly, 9 out of 10 people worldwide live in a place where the air is simply not clean enough for human health.

Though theres little the average citizen can do to avoid air pollutants entirely, there are some actions they can take on a daily basis and in the long term to help protect themselves and others.

The situation is really very critical, Dr. Maria Neira, director of WHOs Department of Public Health, Environment and Social Determinants of Health, told HuffPost. You shouldnt be breathing air that could be killing you.