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Student Activity - Sources and effects of air pollution

Activity idea

In this activity, students use images and a fact sheet to investigate sources and effects of air pollution.

Instructions

Look at the photos and read the fact sheet about major sources of air pollution and their effects, then answer the questions below for each photo.

Further information. Car exhaust
Further information. Christchurch pollution
Further information. Smoking bonfire
Further information. Smoking chimney
  • Write a caption/title for this photo.
  • Write a brief description of what you can see.
  • If you were there, what do you think you could smell?
  • What would you be feeling if you were in the photo?
  • What problem does this photo show?
  • What could you do about this problem?
  • Who could help you achieve this?
  • Are there any links between this photo and the other photos?

Pollutant

Source

What effect does it have?

Carbon monoxide – a colourless, odourless, tasteless gas that converts to carbon dioxide over a period of about a month.

  • Vehicles burning petrol.
  • Domestic fires.
  • Interferes with the ability of the blood to absorb and circulate oxygen.
  • Can affect people with heart conditions.
  • Causes headaches and vomiting.
  • Large amounts are lethal.

Nitrogen dioxide – a reddish brown, pungent, acidic gas.

  • Vehicles burning diesel or petrol.
  • Domestic fires.
  • Power stations burning fossil fuels.
  • Major industry.
  • Can lead to throat and lung infections.
  • Low level exposure can affect growth and cause damage to some plants.
  • Can significantly affect visibility as it contributes to hazes and smog.

Ozone – a colourless gas with a distinctive odour.

  • Vehicle exhaust fumes.
  • Other pollutants in the presence of sunlight.
  • Can seriously damage plants and animals.
  • Causes runny eyes, nose and throat irritation and breathing difficulties, especially in asthmatics.
  • Affects the functioning of the heart.

Metadata

Date:
23 June 2008
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