H I G H S C H O O L 13

Get your tickets at www.childrensmuseumatlanta.org/parents/events

ATeacher’sGuidetoAirQualityAwarenessWeek

High School Students

H I G H S C H O O L 1

I N T H I S G U I D E :

• AQAW Framework 2

• Resources + Activities 3-12

Monday: Air Pollution and SMOG

Tuesday: Air Quality Index and Health

Wednesday: Air Quality and Transportation

Thursday: Pollution Solutions

Friday: Do your Share for Clean Air

• Appendix 13-16

AirQualityIndex–Children’sHealthResource

2011-12CleanAirSchoolsEnrollmentForm

Dear Educator,

The Georgia Department of Education and The Clean Air Campaign invite

you to participate in Air Quality Awareness Week, May 2-6, 2011. SMOG

season in most of Georgia runs from May 1 – September 30. With your

help, students can better understand air pollution and actions they can

take to protect their health and improve air quality.

The Air Quality Awareness Week Teacher’s Guide offers a framework for

approaching the week, with each day covering a specific theme. Background

information, additional resources, and fun, easy-to-implement activities for

each theme will help you show your students the connections between air

quality, transportation, health, and individual actions.

We are excited about this upcoming event and want to hear how you plan

to celebrate. Please let us know about any events you have planned in

advance, so we can promote your school to the press and on the Clean Air

Campaign website. We look forward to receiving your stories, pictures, and

feedback from the week.

Thank you for all you do!

The Clean Air Schools Team

Get your tickets at www.childrensmuseumatlanta.org/parents/events

H I G H S C H O O L2

Air Quality Awareness Week FrameworkThissuggestedframeworkcanbeusedtoorganizeAQAWatyourschool.

D A Y T H E M E K E Y M E S S A G E MONDAY Air Pollution - SMOG Smog,awordthatisacombinationof“smoke”and“fog”,isamixtureof

airpollutants,somethatcanbeseenorsmelled,andothersthatcannot.InGeorgia,thetwomostimportantpollutantsthatthreatenhumanhealthareground-levelozoneandparticlepollution.

TUESDAY Air Quality Index + Health Poorairqualityisharmfultoeveryone’shealth,especiallyforchildren.Theprimarytargetistherespiratorysystem,butairpollutionalsoaffectstheheartandtheimmunesystem.Schoolsandparentscanhelpprotectchildren’shealthbybecomingfamiliarwiththeTheAirQualityIndex(AQI),particularlyduringSmogseason.

WEDNESDAY Transportation + Air Quality EmissionsfromcarsandtrucksharmtheairwebreatheandarethenumberonesourceofpollutioninGeorgia.Inschoolzones,idlingcarsandbusesproduceharmfulemissionsandsingle-familyvehiclesalsocontributetolonglinesduringafternoonpick-upandincreasedtrafficinareassurroundingtheschoolzone.

THURSDAY Pollution Solutions Thebestwaytolimitadversehealtheffectsfromsmogispollutionprevention.Athome,ontheroadandatschool,studentscantakeactiontohelpreduceairpollution.

FRIDAY Do your share for clean air! Studentscanbeproactiveinaddressingairpollutionandhealthrisks.Schoolcommunitiescanreducevehiclepollutionbyimplementingno-idlingzones,eliminatingnumberofvehiclesintheschoolzonethroughcarpooling,ridingthebus,walkingandbiking.

H I G H S C H O O L 3

BACKGROund InFORMAtIOn:

• What is Smog? Smog,awordthatisacombinationof“smoke”and“fog”,isamixtureofairpollutants,somethatcanbeseenorsmelled,andothersthatcannot.InGeorgia,twomainairpollutantsthatthreatenhumanhealthareground-levelozoneandfineparticlepollution.

• What are sources of smog?Ground-levelozoneformswhenVolatileOrganicCompounds(VOCs)suchaspaint,solvents,andgasolinefumescombinewithNitrogenOxides(NOx)fromthecombustionprocess(i.e.vehicleexhaust,smokestacks).SunlightandwarmtemperaturesdriveNOxandVOCstoreacttoformground-levelozone.Thatiswhyweseehigherozone-levelsinthesummer.Inmanyareas,vehicleexhaustaccountsformorethanhalfofthesourcesofground-levelozonepollution.

Particlepollution(orPM2.5)isinvisibletothenakedeyeandcanbeemitteddirectlyorformedintheairfromgases.Sourcesofparticlepollutionincludecarsandtrucks,dieselengines,constructionequipment,forestfires,industrialsourcesandnaturalsources.

• When is Smog a problem?Airpollutionlevelscanvarythroughouttheday.Airmovesacrossthestate,soactivitiesinoneareacanhaveadirecteffectontheairqualityinanotherarea.Thehighestground-levelozonelevelsusuallyoccurfrom2to7p.m.duringwarmerspringandsummermonths.Sinceunhealthylevelsofparticlepollutionarenotdependentonhot,sunnyweather,theycanbeexperiencedatanytimeofthedayandcanoccuryear-round.

SmogseasoninGeorgiarunsfromMay1–September30.Duringthesedates,schoolsandparentsshouldpaycloseattentiontosmoglevelsbyregisteringtoreceivedailySmogAlertsatwww.cleanaircampaign.org.

Fun FAC t: Choosingtocarpool2-3timesaweekcansave$1,000overthecourseofayear–abouttheequivalentofthreemonths’worthofgroceriesforafamilyoffour.Source: Food Marketing Institute, average weekly grocery bill for family of four is $115.00 (November 2010)

ReSOuRCeS:•GADepartmentofNaturalResources,EnvironmentalProtectionDivision,AirProtectionBranch:http://www.air.dnr.state.ga.us/•EnvironmentalProtectionAgency–Region4(Southeast):http://www.epa.gov/region4/air/•TheCleanAirCampaign: www.cleanaircampaign.org

M O n d A y A i r P o l l u t i o n a n d S M O G

H I G H S C H O O L4

LeSSOn PL AnS:

• Air Pollution 101(9th–12thGrades)Studentswilllearnaboutthebasicsofairpollution,thesevenmainpollutantsandtheirsources.

• Costs of Air Pollution(9th–12thGrades)Thislessonfocusesontheeconomicorinternalcostsofairpollution,aswellasthehiddenorexternalcosts,includinghealthandenvironmentalcostsofairpollution.ThePowerPointpresentationconcludeswithabriefoverviewofsomeeconomicprinciplesandashortdiscussionoffull-costpricingasapartof“environmentaleconomics.”

• energy and Air Pollution(9th–12thGrades)Studentswilllearnaboutenergyuses,resources,andtheeffectofenergyproductiononairpollution.

AC tIVItIeS:

1. Comic Book Creativity – the epic Battle for Clean AirEngageyourstudent’sscientific,story-telling,anddrawingskillsindevelopingaSMOGvillainandCleanAirsuperhero.Thisactivitywouldworkwellasagroupactivitywithhalfoftheclassdesigningthevillainandtheotherhalfthesuperhero.

Hereareafewquestionstogettheteamsstarted:• What is the villain/superhero’s name?• What is his/her story?• What are his/her defining characteristics?• What does he/she look like?• How does he/she threaten or protect health and communities?• What is his/her weakness?

Whetherit’safullcomicstripcoveringabattleorasuperheroandvillainreadytosquareoff,showcaseyourclass’screativitybypostingtheirworkoutsideyourdoororinahigh-trafficarea.

2. It all adds upHelpstudentsconnectthedotsbetweenindividualactionsandairqualitywithajournalingactivity.Askstudentstowritedowntheirdailyactions—howeversmall—andthenidentifyeachaction’simpactonairquality(i.e.itsaffectsontransportation,energy,health.)Continuewithaclassorsmallgroupdiscussiontoreviewanswers.ThisactivitywillsetthestageofadiscussiononpollutionsolutionsonThursday.

H I G H S C H O O L 5

BACKGROund InFORMAtIOn:

• How does air quality affect children’s health?Poorairqualityisharmfultoeveryone’shealth,especiallyforchildren,whobreathe50%moreairperpoundofbodyweightthanadults.Theyarealsoclosertothegroundandthereforeclosertovehicletailpipes.Airpollutionprimarilyaffectstherespiratorysystem,butalsoaffectstheheart,thecardiacsystemandtheimmunesystem.Theshort-termeffectsofairpollutiononhealtharebetterunderstoodthanthelong-termeffects,althoughevidencesuggeststhatchildrenwithfrequentexposuretoairpollutionhaveincreasedchancesofdevelopingasthmaanddecreasedlungdevelopment.

• How does air quality affect asthma?Smogcantriggerasthmaattacks.AsthmaisthemostcommonchronicillnessinchildrenintheU.S..TenpercentofGeorgia’schildrensufferfromasthmaandoverhalfamillionschooldaysweremissedlastyearinGeorgiaasaresultofasthmaorasthma-relatedillness.Asthmacancauseinflammationintheairwaysthatresultsinswelling,atighteningofmusclesaroundtheairwaysandincreasedproductionofmucus.Childrenhavesmallairways,makingthosewithasthmamoresensitivetoasthmatriggersthanadults.

• What can parents and schools do to protect children’s health?Schoolsandparentscanhelpprotectchildren’shealthbybecomingfamiliarwiththeAirQualityIndex(AQI),particularlyduringSmogseason.TheAirQualityIndexusesfivecolor-codedlevels:theGreen(good)categoryisthebest,followedbytheYellow(moderate).SmogAlertsstartatCodeOrange(unhealthyforsensitivegroups)andarealsoissuedatCodeRed(unhealthy)andCodePurple(veryunhealthy).Schools,parentsandstudentscanregisterforSMOGAlertsthroughTheCleanAirCampaignwebsite(www.cleanaircampaign.org)andviewthedailyAQIrating.NewspapersandradiostationsoftenreporttheAQIratingduringsmogseason.Smogalertsarereleasedthedaybeforeairisprojectedtobeunhealthysothatyoucannotonlyreduceyourexposuretopollution,butalsoreduceactionsthatcontributetohighsmogdaysbyreducingdriving,carpooling,takingpublictransportation,etc.

Fun FAC t: Duringthe1996Olympics,effortsinAtlantatoreducetrafficsucceededinnotjustreducingcongestion,butinimprovingthehealthofchildrenwithasthma.Afterbringinginmorebusesandsubwaycars,andencouragingridesharingandtelecommutingduringtheSummerOlympicGames,theseactionshelpedtosignificantlyreduceground-levelozonepollution,whichresultedinconsiderablylowerratesofchildhoodasthmaeventsforchildrenaged1–16.Treatmentandhospitalizationforacuteasthmaeventsdecreased42%,andpediatricemergencydepartmentsalsosawsignificantreductions.(Source: www.lungusa.org; Friedman MS, Powell KE, Hutwagner L, Graham LM, Teague WG. Impact of Changes in Transportation and Commuting Behaviors During the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta on Air Quality and Childhood Asthma. JAMA. 2001; 285:897-905.)

t u e S d A y A i r Q u a l i t y a n d H e a l t h

H I G H S C H O O L6

AC tIVItIeS:

Vox Rox Challengeyourstudentstothinkaboutairqualityawarenessamongteenagersandpracticewritingskillsforwebaudiences.AskstudentstoimaginethattheyareareportercoveringhealthandwellnessforVOX,anAtlanta-basedteennewspaper(www.voxrox.com/blog).Thissummertheywillfocusonairqualityawarenesstounderstandtheimpactofairpollutiononhealthandtheopportunitytoreduceairpollutionthroughbehavioralchanges.

1. WriteBrainstormasaclassaboutpossiblestoriesandheadlines.Haveeachstudentchooseoneheadlineorstorytowrite.Submitthestoriestoyourschoolnewspaper,theCleanAirCampaign,and/orVOX.

2. tweet, tweetWriteTweetsforeachAQIratingthatincludetheratingandrelevanthealthadvisory.Beclearanduselanguagethatappealstoyouraudience.Limit147charactersperTweet.

3. BlogWriteapostfortheVoxBlogonsmogalertstoeducateteensabouttheimportanceofpayingattentiontoairquality,particularlyduringhot-weathermonths.IntroducetheAQIandinformreadersonhowtoaccesstheAQIratings(radio,www.airnow.gov,VOXtweets,etc.)andregisterforSMOGalertsonTheCleanAirCampaignwebsite.Considerscenariosforwhichteenswillfindthisinformationuseful.Beclearanduselanguagethatappealstoyouraudience.

ReSOuRCeS:•TheAmericanLungAssociation:www.lungusa.org•Children’sHealthcareofAtlanta:www.choa.org/asthma•AsthmaandAllergyFoundationofAmerica:http://www.aafa.org/•AsthmaandAllergyNetwork:www.aanma.org

LeSSOn PL AnS:

• Air Quality Index, (9th–12thGrades)ThislessonfocusesontheAirQualityIndex:whatpollutantsaremonitored,howitiscalculated,theAQIchartandreporting,andwhattheAQIlevelsmeanforpublichealth.

H I G H S C H O O L 7

BACKGROund InFORMAtIOn:

• How does transportation affect air quality?Bothhumanactivityandweathercancauseorcontributetoairpollution.Buthalfofallsmog-formingemissionsinmetroAtlantaandothermajormetroareasinGeorgiacomefromvehicletailpipes.Infact,onemileofdrivingproducesonepoundofpollutionandCO2.Soeverymilecounts,andeveryactioncanmakeabigdifference!

Pollutionfromvehicleexhaustisasourcethatfamiliesandstudentscaninfluence.Rethinkingtransporttoschool,work,friend’shouse,etc.canhelpmakeabigdifferenceinairquality.Byridingtheschoolbusorarrangingamulti-familycarpooltoschool,studentscannotonlyhelpimproveairquality,butsavetimeandmoney.Infact,theaveragemetroAtlantahouseholdspends$8,000ofincomeayearontransportationcosts(17%),mostofwhicharetiedtocommuting–that’smorethanwespendeachyearonfoodandgroceries(12%).(Source:BureauofLaborStatisticsConsumerExpenditureSurvey)

Italladdsup.Anewsurveyfinds400,000Atlantansnowusealter-nativestodrivingalone–suchascarpooling,vanpooling,ridingtransit,teleworking,bicyclingandwalking–astheirprimarymeansofcommutingtoandfromwork.That’senoughcommuterstofillTurnerFieldeighttimes.(Source: 2010 Center for Transportation and the Environment study conducted on behalf of the Georgia Department of Transportation, Atlanta Braves.)

• What about idling?Idlingcarsandbusesproduceharmfulemissionsthatcannegativelyimpactpeople’shealth.Thisisespeciallytrueinschoolzones,wherechildrenandadultscongregate.Inadditiontoserioushealthimpacts,idlingvehiclesalsowastesmoney,andexcessiveidlingcanactuallydamageyourenginecomponents,

includingcylinders,sparkplugsandexhaustsystems.Fuelisonlypartiallycombustedwhenidlingbecauseanenginedoesnotoperateatitspeaktemperature.Thisleadstothebuildupoffuelresiduesoncylinderwallsthatcandamageenginecomponentsandincreasefuelconsumption.Inaddition,idlingisnotaneffectivewaytowarmupyourvehicle,evenincoldweather.Thebestwaytowarmyourengineistodrivethevehicle.Withtoday’smodernengines,there’slittleneedforidlingonwinterdaysbeforedrivingaway.Thebottomline-morethan30secondsofidlingcanusemorefuelthanrestartingtheengine.Bynotidling,adriverkeepsupto3lbs.ofpollutionandCO2permonthfromgoingintotheair.

Fun FAC t: Eachday,Americanswasteapproximately3.8milliongallonsofgasolinebyidlingtheircars.Anenginethatidlesfor10minutesyields90gramsofpollutantslikecarbondioxide.

ReSOuRCeS:•MothersandOthersforCleanAir:http://mothersandothersforcleanair.org•GADepartmentofNaturalResources,EnvironmentalProtectionDivision,AirProtectionBranch:http://www.georgiaair.org/retrofit/index.htm

W e d n e S d A y t r a n s p o r t a t i o n a n d A i r Q u a l i t y

Get your tickets at www.childrensmuseumatlanta.org/parents/events

H I G H S C H O O L8

LeSSOn PL AnS:

• Green teen driver(9th–12thGrades)Studentswillcomparevarious“green”featureswhenpurchasingacarandunderstandsomealternativefuelsthatareavailableintoday’smarket.

AC tIVItIeS:

1. How do you get there? Thisisagreatactivitytogetstudentsupandmoving.Setupstationsintheroomtorepresentmodesoftransport:single-familycar,multi-familycar(carpool),bus,train,bike,foot-travel.Askstudentstogroupthemselvesaccordingtohowtheygottoschool.Askthesamequestionforafewothercommonlocations–sportspractice,friend’shouse,placeofworship,shoppingarea–andrepeat.

Record,discuss,andpostclassresults.ChallengestudentstogettoschooladifferentwayonThursday–ridethebus,takethetrain,carpool,walk,bike.

2. Guzzle, guzzle! Purr, purr!Askstudentstoresearchbuyinganew,gas-poweredmidsizesedanandanew,hybrid-poweredmidsizesedan.Thiscanbestructuredasanindividualexercisewithresearchconductedathomeoragroupexercisewithresearchconductedatschool.Researchshouldincludethepriceofthecar,gasmileage,rebatesortaxincentives,airpollutionrating,andgasprices.

Compareresultsasaclassandaskstudentstodebateorconductaroleplayinwhichthestudenttriestopersuadeapeerorparenttopurchaseacertaintypeofcar.

•Cars:ToyotaPriusV(Hybrid)andHondaAccordSedan(Gas-powered)•http://www.edmunds.com/•http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm•http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/Aboutratings.do

H I G H S C H O O L 9

t H u R S d A y P o l l u t i o n S o l u t i o n s

Also,familiescanmaintaintheircarstohelpreducepollutionandsavegas.Simplymakingsurethetiresareproperlyinflatedcanimprovefueleconomyby3%.Andchangingadirtyairfiltercanimprovefuelefficiencybyasmuchas10%.(Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)Theseareallsimplewaysfamiliescanmakeadifferenceintheairwebreathe.

Inthehome,familiescanbothreduceairpollutionandconserveenergybysettingtheairconditionerthermostattemperaturehigher[orlower],buyingenergy-efficientappliancesandlightbulbs,turningoffunusedappliancesandlights,andinsulatingthehome.Buyinglocalfoodcanalsoreducevehiclemilestravelledandhelpimproveairquality.Atypicalcarrothastotravelover1,800milestoreachyourdinnertable!(Leopold Center. “Food Facts: Results from Marketing and Food Systems Research.” Iowa State University. March, 2008. p.11)

Fun FAC t: OneinfourautotripsintheU.S.coverslessthanonemileindistance.Shorttripsofferaperfectopportunitytoimprovephysicalhealthbyridingabicycleorwalking.

ReSOuRCeS:•TheCleanAirCampaign’sCleanAirSchools:www.cleanaircampaign.org/kids-schools•GeorgiaSafeRoutestoSchool:www.SafeRoutesGA.org•GeorgiaOrganics:www.georgiaorganics.org

BACKGROund InFORMAtIOn:

• What can students do to help reduce air pollution at school and in their community?Thebestwaytolimitadversehealtheffectsfromsmogispollutionprevention-reducingthepollutantsweputintotheair.Athome,ontheroadandatwork,studentscantakeactiontohelpreduceairpollution.Schoolcommunitiescanreducevehiclepollutionbyimplementingno-idlingzones,eliminatingthenumberofvehiclesintheschoolzonethroughcarpooling,ridingtheschoolbus,walkingandbiking.TheCleanAirCampaign’sCleanAirSchoolsprogramsaredesignedtohelpschoolcommunitiesreduceairpollution.No-Idling,RidetheBus!ForCleanAir,andPooltoSchoolareprogramsthatstudentscanimplementwithanadvisortomakeanimmediateimpactandimprovementtotheirschoolandcommunityandshowmeasurableresults.

• What can families do at home to reduce pollution?Familiescanaskthemselves,“Howcanwegettowhereweneedtogowiththeleastamountofimpactontheair?”Tripchaining–themethodofcombiningmultiplestopsforerrandsinonedrivingsession–notonlycansaveabout200milesofdrivingeachyear,ithelpsreduceemissions.(Source:U.S.DepartmentofTransportationFederalHighwayAdministration)Isitpossibletocombineatriptothegrocerywithatriptoafriend’shouse.Orrideabikeorwalktotheparkinsteadofdriving?Aretherefamiliesintheneighborhoodtocarpoolwithtoschoolortoabirthdayparty?

H I G H S C H O O L10

LeSSOn PL AnS:

• Green Music Scene(9th–12thGrades)Studentswillresearchsomepopularbandsandmusicianstolearnhowtheyareworkingto“greentheirtours”andreducetheirecologicalfootprint.Studentswillalsodevelopashortpublicserviceannouncement(PSA)videotoraiseawarenessaboutanenvironmentalissue.

• no Idling: young Lungs at Work(9th–12thGrades)Studentswillparticipateinpeerconferencing,developapointofviewregardingnoidlingofvehiclesandcreateapublicawarenesscampaigntoencourageano-idlingpolicyontheircampus.

AC tIVItIeS:

1. How did you get here? (Afollow-upactivitytoWednesday’s‘Howdidyougetthere’.)Askstudentstoreportbackonhowtheygottoschool.Didpeoplecometoschoolusingadifferentformoftransportation?Whyorwhynot?Howdidtheirfamilyandfriendsrespondtotherequest?Wouldtheyconsiderdoingthislongterm?Howwouldtheycompareformsoftransportationintermsoftime,money,convenience?Postclassresults.

2. Route 66DrivingisanAmericanpastime.Thiscanbeseenjustaboutanywhere,especiallyinpop-culture.Inmovies,TV,advertising,andmusic,thecaranddrivingarecelebratedasexpressionsofpersonalityandfreedom.Askstudentstofindexamplesofthisinbooks,magazines,newspapers,onlinepublications,advertising,movies,television,andmusic.Thiscanbeassignedashomeworkorconductedasagroupactivityinclass.

Askstudentstocompareexamplesandthenconsiderwhatitwouldtakeforpeopletothinkdifferentlyabouttransportation.Whatwouldittakeforpeopletouseotherformsoftransportationsuchaspublictransit,carpooling,biking?Whataresomeofthebenefitsfromacultural/socialperspectiveofcarpooling,transit,walking?

Havestudentschooseoneoftheexamplesfromabovewherethedrivingiscelebratedandrecreatethestoryusinganalternativemeansoftransportation.

H I G H S C H O O L 11

BACKGROund InFORMAtIOn:

• Individual actions make a differenceInsummary,mostsmog-formingemissionscomefromvehicletailpipes.Soconsideringalternativestodrivingordrivingalonewillhelpimproveairquality,reducetrafficandcreateahealthierenvironment.Individualandcollectivechoicescandirectlyreduceairpollution.Therearemanysmallactionsthatschools,students,parents,andcommunitiescandothatmakeabigdifference.

• Students can do their share at school.AlloverGeorgia,studentsaretakingtheleadtofindcreativewaystohelpaddressairpollutionandhealthandeducatetheirpeersandparents.Forexample,theyaresettingupno-idlingzones,carpooling,ridingthebus,walkingandbikingtoschool–allactionsthatdeliverimmediatebenefitstotheirschoolcommunity.Over300schoolsin33districtsacrossthestateareworkingtobecomea2010-2011CleanAirSchool.Asaresult,wehaveseenreductionsinidlingatschoolsinGeorgiabyasmuchas90%,anoveralldecreaseincarpoollines,andanincreaseinstudentsridingthebusandwalkingtoschool.Visitwww.cleanaircampaign.orgtolearnmoreaboutwhatschoolscandoandregisterorre-enrollforaCleanAirSchoolsprogram.

• Stay informed and spread the word Studentscantakewhatthey’velearnedatschoolaboutactionstoreduceairpollutionandapplythemintheirhomeandcommunity.Informingparents,neighborsandfriendsaboutSmogAlerts,checkingtheAQI,andsigninguptoreceiveSmogAlertscanhelpguidedecisionsaboutactivitylevelthroughSMOGseason.TheattachedactivityguideforSmogSeasonprovidesmoreinformationonreducingoutdooractivitiesondayswhensmog-levelsarehighest.

Familiesandcommunitiesneedinformationabouttransportationalternatives.Choosingtocarpool,walk,bike,rideabusortrainorcombinetripscankeepalotofpollutionfromgoingintotheairandencourageotherstoconsidertryingtheseoptionsatleastacoupleoftimesaweek–towork,toschool,toaBravesgame,etc.

TheaverageAtlantacommuterspends240hourseachyeardrivingtoandfromwork,sittingaloneintrafficformuchofit.That’stheequivalentof30eight-hourworkdays!Encourageparentstofindacarpoolpartnerorvanpooltowork.Itwillnotonlysavethemmoney,butalsotimethatcanbebetterspenthavingfunwithfamily,relaxing,etc.ContactTheCleanAirCampaignforhelp!

Fun FAC t:Eachday,Georgianshelpeliminate1.4millionvehiclemilesoftravel(theequivalentofcirclingtheglobe56times!)bycarpooling,teleworking,ridingabike,walking,ridingthebusorridingpublictransportationtowork.Theseactionsadduptokeeping700tonsofpollutionandCO2outoftheairwebreathe.WaytogoGeorgia.(Source: Center for Transportation and the Environment study conducted on behalf of the Georgia Department of Transportation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration - global circumference at equator = 24,901 mi)

F R I d A y d o y o u r S h a r e f o r C l e a n A i r !

H I G H S C H O O L12

ReSOuRCeS:•TheCleanAirCampaign:www.cleanaircampaign.org•MARTA:www.itsmarta.com•FormoreinformationonpublictransportationinGA:http://www.georgia.gov/00/channel_title/0,2094,4802_5013,00.html

AC tIVItIeS:

1. Learning ReviewAskstudentstowriteblogpostonwhattheylearnedthisweek,includingtipsforreducingairpollution.Posttheblogonyourschoolwebsite.DidyourschoolparticipateinaCleanAirSchoolsprogramthisyear?Ifso,reviewandcelebrateyouractionsandresults!Askstudentstoincludetheresultsintheirblogs.

2. take ActionFirsthavestudentslistwhatactionstheycantakeindividuallytoreduceairpollutionandthenwhatactionstheschooltotaketoreduceairpollutiononcampus.Askstudentstochoose1-3actionstotryoverthesummerand1-3actionstheschoolcantrynextyear.Reviewthelistsasaclassanddiscusshowtheseactionscanpositivelyaffecttheschoolandthecommunity.HavethestudentsresearchtheCleanAirSchoolsprograms.Whichprogramwouldworkbestforyourschool?Chooseaprogramandregisterorre-enrolltheirschoolforthe2011-2012schoolyear.

Protecting Children From Air Pollution

Smog is a mixture of air pollutants. These pollutants can be harmful to our health. Some sources of smog are cars, trucks, power plants and factories. It is important to pay attention to individual responses to air pollution. You should be aware of your local air quality and take steps to keep your family healthy.

When is Smog a Problem?Smog is a problem for some people even at low levels. As smog levels rise, more people are likely to suffer ill effects. Smog can cause health problems, including shortness of breath, cough-ing, wheezing and chest tightness. Children, older adults and people with asthma, lung disease or heart disease may be more sensitive to smog.– Smog contains ozone and particle pollution. – Ozone forms when pollutants react to heat and

sunlight. This is why we see more smog in the spring and summer.

– Ozone levels are usually the highest from May 1 to Sept. 30 and peak from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

– Particle pollution is a mix of small particles in the air such as smoke and dust. High levels can occur at any time of the year.

Why Does Smog Affect Children More Than Adults?– For their size, children take in more air (and

pollution) than adults when they breathe.– Children’s lungs are developing. Their

airways are more likely to narrow in response to pollutants.

– Children spend a lot of time playing outdoors.– Children breathe faster and more deeply when

they are active. This allows pollution to reach more sensitive areas of the lungs.

How to Find Out the Smog Level– Check local weather reports on TV or radio. – Visit www.cleanaircampaign.com and sign up

to receive smog alerts via e-mail. – The Air Quality Index (AQI) and smog levels:

Green (0 to 50) = Good Yellow (51 to 100) = Moderate Orange (101 to 150) = Unhealthy for sensitive groups Red (151 to 200) = Unhealthy Purple (201 to 300) = Very unhealthy Maroon (301 to 500) = Hazardous

*See the back of this sheet for sample activitiesfor children.

How to Avoid the Effects of SmogOn days when smog levels are high (smog alert days):– Change children’s playtime from outdoors

to indoors, especially from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., when smog levels are higher.

– Be aware of the child’s response to smog. Some children may be sensitive even at low levels.

– If the child has asthma, follow the doctor’s treatment plan. Make sure the child always has easy access to quick-relief medicine.

– Parents, teachers and coaches should be sensitive to a child’s response to smog. Watch for signs of any breathing trouble. Refer to a doctor if needed.

– Please do your part to help clean the air.

Tips to Help

Clean the Air

– Ride the train or bus,

walk, bike or carpool to

work and events

– Refuel your car

after 6 p.m.

– Keep your car

engine tuned

– Combine your errands

into one trip

– Avoid burning leaves

and trash

Children need Children’s®

Sample Activities for Children *Pay attention to the child’s response to smog. Change activities based upon the child’s needs.

– Go for a walk around the block

– Read together outside– Blow bubbles and

chase them

Infant/Toddler(Age 2 and younger)

Pre-K(Ages 3 to 5 years)

Elementary(Ages 6 to 11 years)

Middle/High School(Ages 12 to 18 years)

– Walk to the park or playground

– Go outside–learn to hop, skip and jump

– Students can walk to and from school

– Hold physical education class outdoors

– Students can walk to and from school

– Go biking or roller-skating and wear your helmet

– Take a walk to the park– Take push-and-pull toys

outdoors and practice walking

– Take a trip to the zoo and visit the animals

– Go for a walk and pick flowers

– Play outside with friends

– Students can walk to and from school

– Go outside for recess

– Students can walk to and from school

– Hold gym classes outdoors

– Go for a walk in the early morning

– Learn new songs that have motions

– Go to the park in the morning

– Practice throwing and catching a ball

– Students can walk to school–may want to ride the bus home

– Monitor children with asthma during recess

– Students can walk to school–may want to ride the bus home

– Spend up to an hour outdoors playing sports or other activities

– Only take infants and toddlers outdoors when necessary

– Play indoors with favorite toys

– Go for a walk after breakfast or dinner

– Stay inside and turn on the music and dance

– Hold recess and gym classes indoors

– No more than one-half hour outside; plan to play indoors

– Limit outside wait time for bus

– Hold team practices before school

– Only take infants and toddlers outdoors when necessary

– For some active playtime, go to an indoor facility

– Read a story and allow child to act it out

– For some active playtime, go to an indoor facility

– Limit outside wait time for bus

– Have recess in the gym

– Limit outside wait time for bus

– Hold team practices inside

GREEN(Good day) Be sure to go outside today and have fun

YELLOW(Moderate)Consider limiting long outdoor activities

ORANGE(Unhealthy for children with asthma)Limit outdoor activities

RED(Unhealthy for all children)Plan outdoor activity for early morning or evening

PURPLE(Very unhealthy)Avoid outdoor activity

– Look at books together indoors

– Play indoors with favorite toys

– Play a game indoors– Read a story indoors– Listen to favorite

songs indoors

– Play a board game indoors

– Play a game on the computer

– Read a book or magazine indoors

– Watch a movie at home with your family

MAROON(Hazardous)Stay indoors and keep activity levels low

To Learn More– For non-emergency questions about air quality safety for children,

call the Southeast Pediatric Environmental Specialty Unit toll-free at 877-337-3478.

– For ways to help improve air quality, call the Clean Air Campaign at 877-CLEANAIR.

Go to www.choa.org/asthma to learn more about asthma. For additional information, visit the following:*www.cleanaircampaign.com www.epa.gov/airnow www.cdc.gov/nceh/airpollution/www.aafa.org

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*Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is not responsible for the accuracy or content of these Web sites.

Who We Are: A Georgia nonprofit organization that works with employers, commuters and schools to improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion.

Why Your School Should Become a Clean Air School: Children’s lungs are still developing, making them more vulnerable to the impact of vehicle exhaust and poor air quality. The Clean Air Campaign’s Clean Air Schools initiative empowers you and your entire school community to make a difference in cleaning up our air!

Clean Air Schools Programs: Free and available to pre-school, elementary, middle and high schools across the state.

1. No-Idling Program - Encourages parent drivers and school bus drivers to turn off their engines when dropping off or waiting for students. Includes free in-ground signage and a how-to tool kit with promotional and educational materials. 2. Ride The Bus! For Clean Air - Designed to get more students on the bus and out of cars that contribute to traffic on and around school grounds. New toolkit can be downloaded from CleanAirCampaign.org.

3. Pool to School - Provides schools with the tools to organize and promote car pooling to school to reduce traffic, increase carpool efficiency and reduce pollution. Contact us for more information.

Air Quality Lesson Plans - For grades K-12; includes multiple lessons per grade that are aligned with Georgia Performance Standards. Lesson plans are designed to support the Clean Air Schools programs.

For walking and biking initiatives that compliment your Clean Air Schools program, visit Georgia Safe Routes to School: www.saferoutesga.org. Join the growing ranks of Clean Air Schools in Georgia and be a part of the solution to air pollution! It’s easy, educational and fun! To get started: Register online at CleanAirCampaign.org/Kids-Schools or have your school fax the completed registration form to 678-244-7740. For additional information, contact: 678-244-7726 or Schools@CleanAirCampaign.org

The Clean Air Campaign Clean Air Schools Programs

The Clean Air Campaign is a 501(c)3 Georgia non-profit organization. S/0103/8.10

Please complete the following information and return to us.Fax: 678-244-7740 E-mail: Schools@CleanAirCampaign.orgMail: The Clean Air Campaign, Attn: Clean Air Schools 55 Park Place, NE, Ste. 250, Atlanta, GA 30303

Or register online at: CleanAirCampaign.org/Kids-Schools

Contact Information:School Name: __________________________________________ Date: _______________

School Address: ______________________________________________________________

City: _________________ County: _________________________________ Zip: __________

Grade Level _________________ Phone Number: ___________________________________

School District _______________________________________________________________

Primary Contact Name: _______________________________________________________

Title: ______________________________ Phone Number: ___________________________

E-mail: _____________________________________________________________________

Secondary Contact Name: ____________________________________________________

Title: ______________________________ Phone Number: ___________________________

E-mail: _____________________________________________________________________

School Principal: ____________________________________________________________

E-mail: _____________________________________________________________________

We plan to implement at least one or more of the following program(s): No-Idling Program

Ride The Bus! For Clean Air

Pool to School

How did you hear about us? _____________________________________________________

Are you a Georgia Safe Routes to School participant? Yes No

If you do not want to receive Smog Alerts, check here:

Clean Air Schools Registration Form

By successfully employing at least one or more of these programs, your school will be recognized as a Clean Air School in partnership with The Clean Air Campaign.

The Clean Air Campaign is a 501(c)3 Georgia non-profit organization. S/0115/8.10