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Project Air

Date: 21 Feb 2008

Environmental Issue: Air Quality

 

The lesson plans and resources listed below are included to help teachers prepare for and conduct their Earth Force Project on Air Quality.
Designed for grades 4 and up.


Pennsylvania Academic Standards, Environment and Ecology addressed with this issue:

 

Teacher Resources:

  • List of available Curriculum Re-alignment Materials offered through the Department of Education, Office of Environment and Ecology.
  • Air Pollution: What’s the Solution? Is an educational project for students, grades 6 - 12, that uses online real time data to guide student discovery of the science behind the causes and effects of ground level ozone.
  • For Schools - Curriculum and Activities for Grades K -3
Why are we concerned about air quality?

Air pollution affects everyone.
Every day, the average adult
breathes over 3,000 gallons of air.
Children breathe even more air per
pound of body weight and are thus
more susceptible to air pollution
Long-term exposure to air pollution can
cause chronic health concerns, such as
cancer and damage to the body's immune,
neurological, reproductive, and
respiratory systems.
Clear Skies Act 2003
Under Clear Skies, each year, by 2020,
Americans would experience approximately:
  • 14,100 fewer premature deaths;
    An alternative estimate projects
    8,400 fewer premature deaths.
  • 8,800 fewer cases of chronic bronchitis;
  • 30,000 fewer hospitalizations/emergency
    room visits for cardiovascular and
    respiratory symptoms; and 12.5 million
    fewer days with respiratory illnesses
    and symptoms, including work loss days,
    restricted activity days, and school days.
The monetized benefits of Clear Skies
would total approximately $113 billion
annually by 2020, substantially outweighing
the annual costs of $6.3 billion.
This includes:
  • $110 billion dollars in health benefits;
    An alternative estimate projects annual
    health benefits of $21 billion.
  • $3 billion in benefits from improving
    visibility at select National Parks
    and Wilderness Areas.

 

Documents on Air Quality:
Glossary A-P; Glossary Q-Z
Introduction to Air Pollution
Types of Air Pollution
Air Pollution Health Problems
Air Pollution: History Highlights
Air Pollution: Laws and Enforcement
Air Quality Laws
Power Tools as Polluters
Progress Report
Resource Partners
Air Pollutants - Listing and description of numberous outdoor and indoor pollutants

Websites with Air Quality information:

      General Information

 

      For Students

 

 

 

 

 

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