What is the current air quality index (AQI) in Houston, TX?
Question 14
14.
Scroll down to the Air Quality Index Color Chart – Write down a one-word descriptor of each color code.
Go here for question 15.
Question 15
15.
List three health problems associated with “bad” ozone.
GO HERE to play the air quality simulation.
Instructions: Change the settings in the city and notice the effects that those changes have on the amount of “smog” the city produces and the air quality.
Question 16
16.
Take notes about what the various condition changes do to the AQI.
Question 17
17.
Which set of conditions produce the best possible scenario for the city?
Question 18
18.
Which set of conditions produce the worst scenario for the people, animals, and plants of the City?
Question 19
19.
How can we reduce smog? (Think about the end of the video)
Question 20
20.
Where do volatile organic compounds (VOCs) come from?
What are the ingredients for photochemical smog?
VOCs
Rain
Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
Heat
Sunlight
What is happening to the “good” ozone layer?
Rapidly being destroyed by natural chemicals
Gradually being destroyed by man-made chemcals
Rapidly being healed by man-made chemcals
Gradually being healed by natural chemcals
How much damage can 1 Chlorine atom do?
Can destroy 1,000 "good" ozone molecules
Can heal 1,000,000 "good" ozone molecules
Can heal 100,000 "good" ozone molecules
Can destroy 100,000 "good "ozone molecules
How does depletion of “good” ozone affect human health and the environment?
Causes decreased amounts of UV radiation to reach Earth causing more lung cancer, also reducing crop yields and plant growth
Causes increased amounts of UV radiation to reach Earth causing more skin cancer, also reducing crop yields and plant growth
Causes decreased amounts of UV radiation to reach Earth causing more skin cancer, also increasing crop yields and plant growth
Causes increased amounts of UV radiation to reach Earth causing more lung cancer, also increasing crop yields and plant growth
What causes “bad” ozone?
Released directly into the air by natural sources such as trees and volcanoes
Created by a chemical reaction between NOx and VOCs as well as sunlight
Released directly into the air by vehicles and factories
What are some sources of “bad” ozone?
Gasoline vapors
Industrial facilities
Electric utilities
Motor vehicle exhaust
Electric vehicles
How does “bad” ozone affect human health and environment?
Breathing "bad" ozone can cause respiratory problems as well as damage to agricultural crops and ecosystems
Being exposed to "bad" ozone can cause skin cancer as well as rapid death to plants and animals that touch it
Humans are uneffected by "bad" ozone, but plants and other animals that are exposed develop black spots on their surfaces
What can we do/actions we can take to reduce our risks?
Continue to do everything the way you are currently doing it
Reduce air pollution from cars, trucks, gas-powered lawn and garden equipment, boats and other engines by keeping equipment properly tuned and maintained
Use household and garden chemicals wisely
Help your local electric utilities reduce ozone air pollution by conserving energy at home and the office
Check the air quality forecast in your area
Use approved refrigerants in air conditioning and refrigeration equipment