Air pollution in London contributes to more than 9,400 premature deaths every year, costs the health system up to £3.7 billion each year and causes untold damage to buildings and biodiversity when it falls in the form of acid rain.

Although considered by the World Health Organisation and the UK Government to be the largest environmental health risk people face today, there is still much to demystify about this critical but invisible topic.

Clean Air Day exists to tackle that. As the UK's largest annual air pollution campaign, it aims to improve public understanding of the sources of air pollution, how air pollution affects our health and the ways in which we can all help tackle air pollution.

Taking place on Thursday, June 16 this year, Clean Air Day will be marked in schools across Hounslow with an interactive online session scheduled for the borough's schoolchildren to learn more about what air pollution is, where it comes from and what the Council is doing about it.

Hounslow Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Transport Strategy, Councillor Katherine Dunne, said: "Air pollution is a major cause of ill-health in our country. It shortens lives and increases the number of chronic illnesses people face."

"Our online session for children will help them to understand more about the causes of air pollution and what we can all do to prevent it."

"As part of our ongoing commitment to make Hounslow a cleaner, greener and healthier place to live, work and study, the Council is taking action over air quality. 

"However, if we really want to make a difference, everyone has a part to play. Even the smallest steps can make a big difference if we all act together. I would urge everyone to take action on Clean Air Day."

Here are some practical steps you can take to support Clean Air Day:

• Lose your car keys - Give the car a rest and use healthier means of transport such as walking, cycling or public transport to get to work, school or the shops. 
• Don't leave the motor running - If you have to drive, don't leave the car's engine on when you are parked up. It's called 'vehicle idling' and as well as being bad for the planet, it's an offence. 
• Take the road less travelled - avoid polluted heavy traffic aeas if you are taking a walk or out on your bike. You could take a route through one of Hounslow's many parks and open spaces.
• Grow a cleaner future - Trees help clean our air and reduce the impacts of climate change. Hounslow Council has pledged to plant a tree for every child born in the borough each year. Plant your own tree tribute to help out if you have the space.
• Don't burn at home - Wood burners and stoves contribute to air pollution in our communities. Use them sparingly and only use smokeless fuel or dry, well-seasoned wood. 

Click here for more information about Clean Air Day.