Air Quality for Teachers

Introduction

The following information is intended to provide an overview of air and its care in Pennsylvania for teachers and other interested individuals. Background information on the natural state of air and a short history of air pollution are covered first. Then regulatory and monitoring efforts in Pennsylvania (Pa.) are explained and followed by a description of common air pollutants. A short section on what individuals can do to lessen their impact on air is next followed by several charts, graphs and bibliographies. A sampling of K-12 activities pulled from pre-existing curricula is last. Brackets after an air quality topic indicate the electronic route from the Pa. Department of Environmental Protection’s Internet site which may be followed for more information. The address for this site is http://www. dep.state.pa.us. Choose "Information by Subject" above the logo on the home page and then "Air Quality" followed by whatever is indicated in the brackets.

Teaching about air and its care is a big challenge for educators. Air pollutants are hard to see. There is no dramatic appeal for air quality as there is for wolves, whales, and rain forests; yet these unique creatures, these treasured areas, and we ourselves are threatened by poor air quality. Scientific awareness and consequent government regulations have improved air quality since the 1960s. Gains for air quality, due to better industrial smoke stack technology and regulated vehicle emissions, are being offset by increasing population densities and by more frequent car trips. Significant air quality gains now rest with industrial pollution prevention technology to eliminate pollutants before they reach the smoke stack, as well as with individuals and the lifestyle choices they make.

Educators need to convey background information, point out choices, supply information on alternatives and help students to examine priorities. Contemplating lifestyle changes, rethinking status symbols such as cars and remaining independent thinkers in a materially driven culture are not easy considerations.

The 1995 data is the latest complete year for which Pa. monitoring results were available when this document was developed. It is not the purpose of this publication to cover global warming and indoor air pollution issues, but rather to convey the status of outdoor air pollution in the commonwealth.