BELLWORK“I thought I saw a blue jay this morning, but the smog was so bad it turned out to be a cardinal holding its breath!”

-Michael J. Cohen, comedian

What does Cohen mean by this comment? Where do you think he was when he said it?

Unit 5: Atmosphere and Climate ChangeHow pollution affects air quality

Today’s ObjectivesIn this lesson, you will:1)Learn ways that air pollution is

produced2)Learn ways that air pollution can be

reduced3)Predict some of the health effects that

can result from air pollution

Why Study Air Pollution?In Mexico City, children rarely use the color blue when they make paintings of the sky.

Why?

This is why.

What Makes Up Clean Air?Clean air is primarily oxygen and nitrogen gas.

air pollution occurs when harmful substances build up to unhealthy levels in the air.

Primary and Secondary Pollutants

primary pollutant - a pollutant that is put directly into the air by humans examples: smoke, carbon monoxide, etc.secondary pollutant - a pollutant that forms when primary pollutants react with naturally occurring substances such as water vaporexamples: ground-level ozone

Sources of Primary Air Pollutantsexhaust from vehiclescoal-burning power plantsoil refineriesgas station spillagehousehold chemicalsand much, much more...

History of Air PollutionAir pollution is not a new thing!

In 1273, England’s King Edward I ordered that burning “dirty coal” was illegal because it produced a foul smoke.

A man was executed for breaking this law!

Motor Vehicle EmissionsHow much of our air pollution do you think comes from gasoline burned by cars?

Over 30%!

Reducing Vehicle EmissionsThe Clean Air Act was passed in 1970 to give the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to regulate vehicle emissions

Their first step was to eliminate lead in gasoline.Since then, lead pollution has dropped by more than 90%!

Clean Air Act, continued...EPA estimates that cars today burn fuel 35% more efficiently and with 95% fewer emissions (except carbon dioxide) than they did 30 years ago!

This carbon dioxide is still a problem… Why?Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas!

Industrial Air PollutionMany power plants burn fossil fuels to produce the energy we need.e.g. coal, oil, natural gas

This releases large amounts of pollutants into the air, as well as greenhouse gases such as CO2

Smog

When pollution hangs over urban areas and reduces visibility, it is called smog.

Group AssignmentYour group was just put in charge of reducing air pollution in a major city (pick one).

Objective: make a list of things you would do to try to make this happen.

Things to Keep in Mind-Think about both individual (cars and household) and industrial air pollution

-Don’t do anything unrealistic

-If you make a law, think about how you would enforce it and whether or not it’s fair to everyone

Reducing Air PollutionAfter 20 minutes you will post your ideas on the wall and present it to the class.

Write big so that everyone can see!

Town Hall MeetingAfter each group presents their plan, the class will have a chance to ask questions and give comments

We want to have a discussion about the effectiveness of these plans!

HomeworkResearch health effects of air pollution.

Find at least 3 negative health effects caused by air pollution.

What are some of the specific pollutants that can cause these effects?

Write 1-2 paragraphs about your findings.