Described herein are methods for reducing the risks of exposure to air pollutants, comprising nasally administering to a subject in need thereof a composition that counteracts the effects of one or more air pollutants, wherein the composition is adapted for nasal administration. In some embodiments the composition comprisees an agent that binds to one or more air pollutants, wherein the agent comprises one or both of nonporous silicon dioxide and porous silicon dioxide and/or the composition provides a physical barrier between one or more air pollutants and internal nasal surfaces. Also described herein are nasal compositions comprising an agent comprising one or both of nonporous silicon dioxide and porous silicon dioxide, a lipophilic or partly lipophilic vehicle, and a surfactant, wherein the composition is adapted for nasal administration. Also described herein are methods of making and using nasal pharmaceutical compositions.
