Investigating air pollution
In this activity, students investigate exhaust emissions, car use and air quality.
Car exhaust
Car exhaust can contain particulates, especially if the vehicle is an older car or runs on diesel. Scientists are concerned that the particulates carry toxic chemicals, such as nitrous oxide and carbon monoxide, deep into our lungs where they can make us ill.
The US EPA reports (2024) that a typical passenger vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. CO2 is a greenhouse gas. Although vehicles have become more fuel efficient, we are driving larger vehicles (SUVs) and over longer distances.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
recognise some of the sources of air pollution
understand that only some pollution is visible
carry out simple scientific observations and interpret results
Download the Word file (see link below) for:
introduction/background notes
what you need
what to do.
Related content
Our air 2024 reports on pressures that our activities put on air quality and how these changes to the state of the environment can impact our lives.
The 2017 Connected article Sensing data describes how a team of researchers used technology and big data to help make Christchurch a healthier smarter city to live in.
Explore air quality issues further with the activity Sources and effects of air pollution.
Global Earth Challenge is an international citizen science project that has a section on monitoring air quality.
The Clear the air collection supports the House of Science Clear the Air resource kit – but it is also useful for anyone interested in the human respiratory system and air quality/air pollution.
Useful link
See our Pinterest collection on Air quality for a range of useful resources.
Visit the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi website to learn more about transport-related air pollution.
The Driving Tests website has a fuel CO2 calculator. Check out your vehicle's carbon dioxide emissions in kg.
Find out how students change driving habits at their school with the help of a GNS sensor.
