US Air quality

US Air quality Activity. Name: _________________________

Air quality can vary from day-to-day. Some agencies monitor air quality levels on an hourly basis and will provide forecasts so that sensitive people can plan their day accordingly.

Go to http://www.pca.state.mn.us/, Scroll down a bit and you will see a map of Minnesota indicating current air quality measurements. Click this map. First, learn about some of the pollutants used to calculate the air quality index. Click on “about air quality data” on the right side of your screen.

· Read the sections called: “About the Air Quality Index” and “Issuing air quality alerts”, and “factors that contribute to poor air quality” Answer questions 1 – 3

· At the end of the reading, find the following three links to use to answer questions 4-5 .

· Air quality and health, Using AQI to reduce exposure to air pollution, and What you can do about air pollution.

Questions to answer (1pt unless otherwise indicated)

1. List the five pollutants that are used to calculate the AQI (air quality index) in Minnesota.

2. What is an air pollution health alert?

3. Read the “factors that contribute to poor air quality” section. List at least 4 different facts you learned in this section.

4. What are at least three health effects caused by air pollution?

5. What are at least two ways to minimize exposure to air pollutants on days when levels are unhealthy or worse?

6. Now go back to the “Current Air Quality” page (with the map of MN), click the back button on your browser to go back one page or find the link at the top. Scroll down and look at the current conditions listed under the map. (2pts)

a) What is the current AQI number for the Twin cities? _______

b) Which of the 5 pollutants is currently listed as the one being used to determine the AQI? ______________________

c) What is the forecasted AQI for the Twin Cities over the next few days?

7. Go to https://airnow.gov/ and look at an AQI map of the entire United States. Spend some time looking at the forecast and current AQI maps. Find an area that has moderate or greater concern (any area that is not green) and click on that part of the map to bring up the regional display for the area you selected. (2 pts)

a) What area of the United States did you select that has AQIs of concern?

b) You should see a list of cities in the region you selected. Choose a city with data and with AQI levels of concern and click on that city name. What city did you select?

c) On the right side of the screen you should see the air quality forecast and the current conditions for the city you selected. What is the current AQI the city you selected? Which of the five pollutants is being used to calculate the AQI (which is highest)?

d) Based on what you learned in question 5 above and the types of pollution of most concern, come up with a prediction about the cause of the air pollution in the area you selected.