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Test Your Knowledge About Air Quality!
1) Which of the following are sources of air pollution?
a. Cars and Trucks
b. Power plants
c. Wildfires
d. All of the above
2) What is ozone?
a. A gas that occurs both in the Earth’s upper atmosphere and at ground-level
b. A gas that occurs only in the Earth’s upper atmosphere
c. A gas that occurs only at ground-level
d. None of the above
3) True or False: Volcanoes can pollute the air.
4) The Air Quality Index tells us how clean or dirty the air is on a given day. Which color means the air is clean?
a. Yellow
b. Blue
c. Green
d. Purple
5) If you know the air outside is unhealthy, how can you protect your health?
a. Walk instead of run during playtime.
b. If it feels hard to breathe, tell an adult.
c. Play inside until air quality improves.
d. All of the above.
Pollution Catcher
Pollution comes from many different sources and is all around us. You can make a pollution catcher at home to see what may be polluting the air.
What is particulate matter?
The Earth’s atmosphere is filled with many small particles which can be invisible. Particulate matter is one kind of pollution that is visible. Particulate matter is made up of tiny solids droplets of liquid, including soot, ash, pollen and dust. Particle pollution can come from natural sources, like wildfires, and human sources, like power plants and burning wood in fireplaces. Breathing in small particles floating in the air can be harmful to plants, animals and humans. Particle pollution can also make buildings dirty.
Materials needed for pollution catcher:
1. Empty aluminum can (peel label off of can)
2. Pebbles
3. Double-sided scotch tape
4. Marker
5. Magnifying glass
What to do:
1. Remove tab from the top of the aluminum can.
2. Fill the aluminum can with pebbles (sand or dirt can be used as well) so that the can will not blow over easily.
2. Write North on the top of the can.
3. Wrap the sides of the can with the double-sided tape. Try to touch the tape as little as possible.
4. Set the can outside near your house where it won’t be disturbed. For example, a window sill or fence would be an ideal spot.
5. After a week, go see what kind of particulate matter has collected on the tape. Use a magnifying glass to get a closer look!
Activity inspired by Hamilton County Environmental Services. Photo courtesy of the United States Department of Agriculture’s NRCS photo gallery.
What causes acid rain?
“Acid rain” is a form of rain that mixes with wet and dry pollutants and becomes acidic. The main culprits of acid rain are the sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide gases. These gases come from sources such as cars, volcanoes and power plants that generate electricity.
When acid rain falls into rivers and lakes, it can make fish and other animals sick. Acid rain also eats away at some materials that are used for buildings, statues and sculptures, like bronze, marble and limestone.
Image courtesy of U.S. EPA
Learn some interesting facts about air quality!
- Air quality is measured by the Air Quality Index or AQI. The AQI tells you how clean or dirty the air is. It also tells you when dirty air might impact your health. The index is presented in six colors: green, yellow, orange, red, purple and maroon. “Good” air quality is green, while “hazardous” air quality is maroon.
- If you can, find out what the air quality color is each day – your parents can help you check at www.airnow.gov. If the air is unhealthy, remember to take it easier when you play outside or wait until air quality improves to head outdoors. Always tell an adult if you have trouble breathing when you are outside.
- There are many things you can do at home to help keep the air clean. Try to turn off the lights in rooms that are not being used, recycle paper, plastic, glass bottles, cardboard and aluminum cans and turn the thermostat down in the winter and up in the summer. And don’t forget to spread the word to your friends and family!
First image of the AQI courtesy of airnow.gov. Second image of “recycle only” courtesy of Morgue File.
Check out these cool tips and tools about air quality!
Tips for Learning More
- Learn more about Air Quality Awareness Week on May 2-6, 2011 from the Environmental Protection Agency!
- Learn more about how air quality is measured.
- Read tips on how you can help keep the air clean.
- Learn how trees cut down air pollution.
- See how butterflies indicate good or bad air quality.
Image courtesy of the National Park Service’s Digital Image Archive.
Cool Tools
- Take the Earth Gauge Kids quiz!
- Play the Smog City game and see how your decisions make the air healthy or unhealthy.
- Try these fun games related to air quality.
- Check out the Clean Air Kids Activity Book with word searches, crosswords and more!
- Read “Why is Coco Orange?” and learn why Coco the chameleon can’t change colors.
Image courtesy of NOAA’s National Weather Service Collection.
Quiz Answers
1) d. Air pollution comes from many sources, including cars and trucks, power plants, factories and natural sources, like wildfires. In the United States, millions of cars and trucks account for more than 25 percent of all air pollution.
2) a. Ozone is a naturally produced gas in the stratosphere and can be “good” or “bad.” The “good” ozone is in the Earth’s upper atmosphere and protects life on Earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. On the other hand, “bad” ozone forms at ground-level when pollutants from cars, trucks, power plants and other sources “cook” in the sun. “Bad” ozone is unhealthy to breathe, especially for kids who have asthma.
3) True. When volcanoes erupt they emit gases, predominantly sulfur dioxide. When this gas reacts with sunlight, oxygen, dust and water, it forms volcanic smog, or “vog.” The term “vog” is most commonly used in the Hawaiian Islands.
4) c. You can find the daily Air Quality Index at www.airnow.gov. When the Air Quality Index is green, the air is clean. The color changes when air is dirty – red means that the air outside is unhealthy to breathe. When the index is purple, the air is very unhealthy. You and your family should take actions to stay healthy on red and purple days.
5) d. If you can, find out what the air quality color is each day – your parents can help you check. If the air is unhealthy, remember to take it easier when you play outside or wait until air quality improves to head outdoors. Always tell an adult if you have trouble breathing when you are outside.
