Sources and effects of air pollution
In this activity, students use images and information to investigate sources and effects of air pollution.
Smoking chimney
Heating the home by burning wood or coal is common in New Zealand. Many councils are encouraging people to heat their homes in other ways in order to reduce the levels of air pollution.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
recognise sources of air pollution
know about some solutions to air pollution
understand how air pollution affects them personally
discuss this scientific and social issue with others.
Smoking bonfire
Burning material causes air pollution. The smoke from a fire releases particulates into the environment, which can have a detrimental effect on people’s health.
Download the Word file (see link below) for:
introduction/background notes
what you need
what to do
discussion questions
student handout
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.
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 Investigating 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 links
This activity explores air pollution in different parts of the world, inlcuding Beijing, China (South China Morning Post), Los Angeles, California (County of Los Angeles Public Health and Los Angeles Times) and Southeast Asia (CNN).
