Ozone Online
Go to: http://www.epa.gov/oar/oaqps/gooduphigh/
Click on: Good Up High
Answer the following questions in your own words: (On separate piece of paper)
1: How can ozone be both good and bad?
The ozone is bad because it is an air pollutant, it is bad to breathe and damages vegetation. The ozone is good because it protect us from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
2: What is happening to the “good” ozone layer?
It is being destroyed by man-made chemicals.
3: How much damage can 1 Chlorine atom do? Explain.
One chlorine atom can destroy 100,000 "good" ozone molecules.
4: How does the “good” ozone protect the Earth?
It protects humans from getting skin cancer, cataracts, and impaired immune systems. Without it the stress of not having it could have adverse consequences for human food supplies from the oceans.
5: What is being done about ozone depletion?
EPA has established regulations to phase out ozone-depleting chemicals in the United States.
Click on: Bad Nearby
1: What causes “bad” ozone?
It is created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the presence of sunlight.
2: What are some sources of bad ozone?
Emissions from industrial facilities and electric utilities, motor vehicle exhaust, gasoline vapors, and chemical solvents are some of the major sources of NOx and VOC.
3: How does “bad” ozone affect human health and environment?
Breathing ozone can cause many health problems such as, chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, and congestion. Bad ozone can damage vegetation and ecosystems.
4: What is being done about “bad” ozone?
Under the Clean Air Act, EPA has set protective health-based standards for ozone in the air we breathe.
5: What can we do/actions can we take to reduce our risks?
There are programs to join that focus on reducing pollution and adopt practices.
Ozone- Air Now
Go to: www.epa.gov/airnow/
In the far right corner- choose “Ozone”- found under Air Quality Basics. Read about good and bad ozone and answer the following questions.
1: Where is the good ozone located and what is its function? Ozone occurs naturally in the Earth's upper atmosphere - 6 to 30 miles above the Earth's surface.
2: What depletes good ozone?
Man-made chemicals
3: Where is the bad ozone located and what creates it? What does NOX and VOC stand for?
In the Earth's lower atmosphere, near ground level, ozone is formed when pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants, and other sources react chemically in the presence of sunlight. Oxides of nitrogen (NOX) and volatile organic compounds (VOC).
4: List three health problems associated with bad ozone. (Hint: You may need to go to Ozone and your Health- How can ground-level ozone affect your health?)
Irritate your respiratory system
Inflame and damage cells that line your lungs
Cause permanent lung damage
5: Scroll down to the Air Quality Index Color Chart- Write down a one-word descriptor of each color code.
Green- Good
Yellow- Moderate
Orange- Unhealthy of sensitive groups
Red- Unhealthy
Purple- Very unhealthy
6: After answering this question, go back to Air Now at: www.epa.gov/airnow/
In the far left corner, choose National Overview and then choose Ozone Now.
What is the current ozone reading for our area? (use color code)
The AQI for Students
Go to: How Ozone is Formed- Watch the video and take notes.
Go to: O3- Good Up High, Bad Nearby- Watch the video and take notes.
Smog City 2- Save the Smog City from Ozone
Go to: www.smogcity2.org
Instructions: Change the settings in “Smog City” and notice the effects that those changes have on the amount of “smog” the city produces and the air quality.
On your paper, take notes about what the various condition changes do to the AQI.
Which set of conditions produce the best possible scenario for the city? Which set of conditions produce the worst scenario for the people, animals and plants of Smog City?
Summary: On your paper, write a 2-3 paragraph summary about what you have learned about ozone, ozone depletion, ozone destruction and air quality by completing this assignment. Make sure to use the new vocabulary that you have learned.
Click on: Good Up High
Answer the following questions in your own words: (On separate piece of paper)
1: How can ozone be both good and bad?
The ozone is bad because it is an air pollutant, it is bad to breathe and damages vegetation. The ozone is good because it protect us from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
2: What is happening to the “good” ozone layer?
It is being destroyed by man-made chemicals.
3: How much damage can 1 Chlorine atom do? Explain.
One chlorine atom can destroy 100,000 "good" ozone molecules.
4: How does the “good” ozone protect the Earth?
It protects humans from getting skin cancer, cataracts, and impaired immune systems. Without it the stress of not having it could have adverse consequences for human food supplies from the oceans.
5: What is being done about ozone depletion?
EPA has established regulations to phase out ozone-depleting chemicals in the United States.
Click on: Bad Nearby
1: What causes “bad” ozone?
It is created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the presence of sunlight.
2: What are some sources of bad ozone?
Emissions from industrial facilities and electric utilities, motor vehicle exhaust, gasoline vapors, and chemical solvents are some of the major sources of NOx and VOC.
3: How does “bad” ozone affect human health and environment?
Breathing ozone can cause many health problems such as, chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, and congestion. Bad ozone can damage vegetation and ecosystems.
4: What is being done about “bad” ozone?
Under the Clean Air Act, EPA has set protective health-based standards for ozone in the air we breathe.
5: What can we do/actions can we take to reduce our risks?
There are programs to join that focus on reducing pollution and adopt practices.
Ozone- Air Now
Go to: www.epa.gov/airnow/
In the far right corner- choose “Ozone”- found under Air Quality Basics. Read about good and bad ozone and answer the following questions.
1: Where is the good ozone located and what is its function? Ozone occurs naturally in the Earth's upper atmosphere - 6 to 30 miles above the Earth's surface.
2: What depletes good ozone?
Man-made chemicals
3: Where is the bad ozone located and what creates it? What does NOX and VOC stand for?
In the Earth's lower atmosphere, near ground level, ozone is formed when pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants, and other sources react chemically in the presence of sunlight. Oxides of nitrogen (NOX) and volatile organic compounds (VOC).
4: List three health problems associated with bad ozone. (Hint: You may need to go to Ozone and your Health- How can ground-level ozone affect your health?)
Irritate your respiratory system
Inflame and damage cells that line your lungs
Cause permanent lung damage
5: Scroll down to the Air Quality Index Color Chart- Write down a one-word descriptor of each color code.
Green- Good
Yellow- Moderate
Orange- Unhealthy of sensitive groups
Red- Unhealthy
Purple- Very unhealthy
6: After answering this question, go back to Air Now at: www.epa.gov/airnow/
In the far left corner, choose National Overview and then choose Ozone Now.
What is the current ozone reading for our area? (use color code)
The AQI for Students
Go to: How Ozone is Formed- Watch the video and take notes.
Go to: O3- Good Up High, Bad Nearby- Watch the video and take notes.
Smog City 2- Save the Smog City from Ozone
Go to: www.smogcity2.org
Instructions: Change the settings in “Smog City” and notice the effects that those changes have on the amount of “smog” the city produces and the air quality.
On your paper, take notes about what the various condition changes do to the AQI.
Which set of conditions produce the best possible scenario for the city? Which set of conditions produce the worst scenario for the people, animals and plants of Smog City?
Summary: On your paper, write a 2-3 paragraph summary about what you have learned about ozone, ozone depletion, ozone destruction and air quality by completing this assignment. Make sure to use the new vocabulary that you have learned.