Air pollution comes AIR AWARENESS: from many sources, Our air contains What's both natural & manmade. a combination of different gasses: OZONE (GOOD) 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, in the is a gas that occurs forest fires, vehicle exhaust, naturally in the upper plus 1% from carbon dioxide, volcanic emissions smokestack emissions atmosphere. It filters water vapor, and other gasses. the sun's ultraviolet rays and protects AIRgets life on the planet from the Air moves around burning Around! when the wind blows. rays. Forests can be harmed when nutrients are drained out of the soil by acid rain, and trees can't Air grow properly. pollution ACID RAIN Water The from one place can forms when sulfur cause problems oxides and nitrogen oxides falls from 1 air is in mix with water vapor in the air. constant motion many miles from clouds that form where it Because wind moves the air, acid in the air. Pollutants around the earth (wind). started. rain can fall hundreds of miles from its AIR MONITORING: and tiny bits of soil are As it moves, it absorbs source. Acid rain can make lakes so acidic Scientists check the quality of carried with it to the water from lakes, rivers that plants and animals can't live in the water. our air every day and grade it using the Air Quality Index (AQI). ground below. and oceans, picks up soil We can check the daily AQI on the from the land, and moves Internet or from local 2 pollutants in the air. news sources. Greenhouse gases, sulfur oxides and Earth's nitrogen oxides are added to the air when coal, oil and natural gas are CARS, TRUCKS burned to provide Air energy. & BUSES add carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides and Smoke from particulate matter to the air. Cycle Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse FACTORIES and gas and contributes to climate Plants use carbon dioxide POWER PLANTS change. The other pollutants adds particulate matter contribute to acid rain, ground- from the air during 4 (tiny particles) to the air. level ozone and smog. photosynthesis, and People and animals release oxygen. FIRES can add breathe in air. We particulate matter They absorb water use oxygen and (ashes) and toxic and pollutants exhale carbon gasses to the air. carried in dioxide. the air. 3 OZONE (BAD) Choosing sometimes forms to get around at ground level and other without motorized when the weather is hot and TREES transportation is not sunny and the air is polluted. It plants require carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) only good for the air, makes breathing uncomfortable, it’s good for you, too. especially for people with asthma. for photosynthesis. As they How many manmade sources of air pollution can you find here? grow, they absorb and trap Can you find people doing things to limit air pollution? pollutants within their cells. .