Understanding Air Pollution Effects

Understanding Air Pollution Effects

• 1. Air Pollution Environmental Education, Middle School Program MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Protecting Maine’s Air, Land and Water

• 2. Air Pollution • Air Pollution can impact your – Health – Environment – Nation’s Economy MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION www.maine.gov/dep

• 3. Clean Air Act • The original Clean Air Act was established in 1963. It established funding for the study and the cleanup of air pollution. • In 1970 Congress created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and gave it the primary role in carrying out the law. • In 1990, Congress revised and expanded the Clean Air Act, – Provided the EPA even broader authority to implement and enforce regulations reducing air pollutant emissions. – Placed an increased emphasis on more cost-effective approaches to reduce air pollution. MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION www.maine.gov/dep

• 4. Clean Air Act • By reducing air pollution, the Clean Air Act has led to significant improvements in human health and the environment in the U.S. • Since 1970, the six commonly found air pollutants have decreased by more than 50 percent.

• 5. Criteria Air Pollutants • Ozone • Particle Pollution • Carbon Monoxide • Lead • Sulfur Dioxides • Nitrous Dioxides

• 6. How You Can Help Reduce Air Pollution? • Conserve Energy • Drive Wisely / Ride Wisely

• 7. Thermal Inversions Thermal inversion occurs when a layer of warm air settles over a layer of cooler air that lies near the ground. The warm air holds down the cool air and prevents pollutants from rising and scattering.

• 8. Thermal Inversion – Salt Lake Valley

• 9. Donora, Pennsylvania Event

• 10. Introduction to Demonstration • Inversion in a Cup • Objective: To observe how temperature inversions are formed and discuss how inversions influence air pollution levels.

• 11. Add contact information www.maine.gov/dep