Air pollution has both natural and man-made sources. The following information provides an overview of criteria air pollutants, their man-made sources, and the main health effects that are associated with their elevated levels. 

Did you know?

·         The average human breathes in around 2 gallons of air per minute, which is around 3, 400 gallons of air a day!

·         Rising air pollution brings about new diseases.

·         Air pollution that causes smog affects dolphins and makes them suffer from black lung diseases.

·         The best ways to reduce air pollution are by walking and riding bicycles.

How you can play your part:

·         Understand how air quality is measured, how it can affect your health and how to combat its effects; 

·         Reduce the use of energy at home, insulate your home effectively and make rational use of your air conditioning system; 

·         Use energy-efficient light bulbs and turn off the lights when you don't need them: You'll reduce your electricity consumption and have lower bills too! 

·         Reduce the use of private transport- use public transit or join a carpool; 

·         Switch to cleaner fuels and cleaner technologies such as electric cars, hybrids or natural gas vehicles; 

·         Keep your vehicle engine in good condition with regular maintenance; 

·         Maintain the correct air pressure in your tires, it will reduce your fuel consumption, save money and prevent accidents!

About the activity:

In this activity, you will be creating clouds, but not just any clouds, polluted clouds to see how pollution travels around regions, countries and the world.

Before you starting making your clouds think to yourself:

·         What causes air pollution?

·         Do we breathe in this air pollution?

·         What health problems can air pollution cause?

·         What can we do to decrease air pollution?

What you’ll need:

·         A jar with a lid

·         About a 1/3 of a cup of hot water

·         Dark food coloring (blue is more preferable)

·         Ice

·         Hairspray

Instructions:

1.      Start by pouring 1/3 of a cup of hot water into the jar and adding a couple of drops of food coloring.

2.      Swirl it around to warm up the sides of the jar.

3.      Turn the lid upside down and place it on the top of the jar.

4.      Place several ice cubes onto the lid.

5.      Allow the ice to rest for about 20 seconds.

6.      Remove the lid and quickly spray a little hairspray into the jar, then put the lid back onto the jar with the ice still on top.

7.      Watch your cloud form.

8.      When you see a good amount of condensation, remove the lid and watch the “cloud” escape into the air.

What you need to know:

Some of the water you added to the jar turns into water vapor. The water vapor rises to the top of the jar, and when it reached the cold air (the ice on the lid) it begins to condense which forms the cloud. In nature, water vapor may condense onto dust particles or air pollution. In this activity the water vapor condensed onto the hairspray, making it visible. Now, imagine this in nature, wind moves water vapor from place to place which scatters the air pollution which in the long run causes many negative effects.