Air Pollution

Environmental Education, Middle School Program

MAINE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Air Pollution

• · Air Pollution can impact your
• -Health
• -Environment
• -Nation's Economy



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.
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.

Criteria Air Pollutants

• · Ozone
• · Particle Pollution
• · Carbon Monoxide
• · Lead
• · Sulfur Dioxides
• · Nitrous Dioxides

How You Can Help Reduce Air Pollution?

• · Conserve Energy
• · Drive Wisely / Ride Wisely

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.


Thermal Inversion - Salt Lake Valley



A temperature inversion traps and fills the Salt Lake valley with thick smog outside Draper, Utah, on Jan. 31,

Phorographer: George FreylGetty Images

Donora, Pennsylvania Event


Introduction to Demonstration

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



Add contact information www.maine.gov/dep