Air Quality Activity
Fine particulate matter (PM) is one of the six key pollutants monitored for air
quality assessment.
Particulate matter is the general term used for a mixture of solid particles and
liquid droplets in the air. It includes aerosols, smoke, fumes, dust, ash, and
pollen.
Fine particulate matter is mainly formed from chemical reactions in the
atmosphere and from burning fuels, in vehicles, power generation, industries,
residential fireplaces, wood stoves and agricultural. It is estimated that up to 50
per cent of Ontario's fine particulate matter is carried by the wind from the United
States.
In this activity you will graph and analyse fine particulate matter levels from
different cities across Canada.
Fine Particulate Matter Across Canada
Average Daily Particulate Matter (micrograms per cubic metre of air) for selected
Canadian Cities, 2005
Corner Brook, Newfoundland
Moncton, New Brunswick
Montreal, Quebec
Shawinigan, Quebec
Prince George, British Columbia
Burnaby, British Columbia
Red Deer, Alberta
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Toronto, Ontario
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Sarnia, Ontario
12
16
30
48
27
15
10
14
9
37
23
41
Source: NAPS Data Summary for 2005/2006, Environment Canada, Environmental Technology
Centre
Your task
Using the Average Daily Particulate Matter data above, create a bar graph of
the data for the 12 cities.
Questions:
Using your graph, answer the following questions. You may want to consult an
atlas, or the Internet (I brought a couple computers), to learn more about these
cities.
1.
a) What city has the highest level of particulate matter?
b) Give possible reasons for this high level of particulate matter.
2.
a) What city has the lowest level of particulate matter?
b) Give possible reasons for this low level of particulate matter.
3.
If a city has the highest particulate matter level, does this mean that the
city must have the most polluted air? Explain the reasons for your answer.
Local Air Quality
“The Air Quality Index (AQI) is an indicator of air quality, based on air pollutants that
have adverse effects on human health and the environment. The pollutants are ozone, fine
particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and total reduced
sulphur compounds. “If the AQI reading is below 16, the air quality is in the very good
category.
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If the AQI reading is in the range of 16 to 31, the air quality is in the good category.
If the AQI reading is in the range of 32 to 49, the air quality is in the moderate
category, and there may be some adverse effects for very sensitive people.
If the AQI reading is in the range of 50 to 99, the air quality is in the poor category,
and may have adverse effects for sensitive members of human and animal
populations, and may cause significant damage to vegetation and property.
If the AQI reading is above 99, the air quality is in the very poor category, and may
have adverse effects for a large proportion of those exposed.”
(from: http://www.airqualityontario.com/science/aqi_description.php)
1.
At 7:30pm last night (March 1st) Burlington’s air quality was 14. In 2011, it
was 46 at it’s highest point in June and 4 at it’s lowest point in November.
Based on other areas of Ontario would you consider your local air to be
relatively clean? Explain the reasons for your answer.
2.
Describe three sources of air pollution in Burlington.
3.
Make a list of things you can do to help reduce the amount of air pollution.