AIR: THE BREATH OF LIFE...
All life on the planet depends on healthy air to breathe, with just the right mix of oxygen for animals and
carbon dioxide for plants. Our air also contains some things that are harmful to plants and animals, some
of which are natural, and some of which are put there by the activities of people. Air pollutants affect not
only the air we breathe, but also the water we drink and the food we eat. With ever increasing numbers of
people and industrial activities on the planet, it becomes more important every day for us to find ways to
keep our air quality the best it can be for the sake of healthy people, animals, plants and ecosystems.
Outdoor air quality depends on controlling air pollution emissions from industry, agriculture and cars.
Indoor air quality depends on using building materials and ventilation systems that limit exposure to toxic
chemicals within our indoor air spaces.
Here are some ways that clean air helps us all—whether in urban, rural or wilderness settings—
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Clean outdoor air decreases heart and lung disease in people and animals. For example, clean air
lowers the rate of asthma and chronic bronchitis in people and animals, saving health care costs and
improving quality of life for all living things.
Controlling acid rain (caused by emissions of oxides of sulfur and nitrogen from industry and cars),
reduces the amount of acid precipitation deposited into our cities, forests and water sources. This
prevents damage to forest trees and aquatic ecosystems, and protects threatened wildlife, including
mammals, fish and amphibians. Reducing acid rain also protects buildings from acid deterioration,
improves visibility, and enhances human health through reducing ground level smog.
Protecting the integrity of the Earth's stratospheric ozone layer by eliminating destructive gases, such
as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other chlorine gases, keeps us protected from ultraviolet radiation,
that can cause skin cancer, premature aging, and cataracts in people and animals all around the
world.
Reversing the build up of “greenhouse” gases, such as carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels,
could prevent global warming of the Earth and avert potentially damaging changes in the climate
patterns of the planet.
Creating homes and work places with healthy air indoors, where most people spend 90% of their time,
would significantly increase the health of people and animals. Proper ventilation and safe building
materials can reduce exposure to toxic gases, such as formaldehyde, tobacco smoke, volatile organic
compounds and radon (found commonly in the west near granite mountains). Radon can, when it
seeps into homes, be 5 to 100 times more concentrated indoors than outdoors.
Preventing the release of toxins, such as pesticides and other chemicals, into the environment, will
prevent their transport in aerosol form to distant ecosystems, where they are harmful to plants and
animals far removed from the source of the chemicals.
…There are many ways our society can work to keep our air clean and healthy…
Emphasize energy efficiency in all purchases and maintenance activities, such as heating and cooling
systems, appliances, insulation materials, and utility company operations.
Seek out building materials that are free of toxic gas emissions, ensure adequate ventilation in those
buildings of older construction, and use air cleaners or filters as appropriate.
Reduce the fossil fuels burned for transportation everyday by traveling less, ride-sharing, using fuelefficient cars or alternative fuel vehicles, biking, using public transportation systems, and maintaining
your vehicle’s health to minimize air pollution from automobile/truck emissions.
Be aware of the industrial emissions in your community and call for proper enforcement of air quality
standards in your state or region.
Protect the forests, and plant more trees which help clean our air of excess carbon dioxide.
Everyone of us can make a difference everyday by keeping our skies clean and beautiful.
Created by Gwen Griffith, D.V.M., M.S., 2/99;Alliance of Veterinarians for the Environment, http://www.aveweb.org
Air Pollution Makes Acid Rain1
Background:
Acid rain is more acidic than normal rain and forms through a complex process of chemical reactions
involving air pollution. The two most important pollutants that contribute to the formation of acid rain are
oxides of nitrogen and sulfur, which react with moisture in the atmosphere to form nitric and sulfuric acid.
The sulfur and nitrogen compounds that contribute to acid rain come mostly from man-made sources,
such as industrial and utility processes, as well as emissions from automobiles and other forms of
motorized transportation
Acid rain can harm forests and crops, damage bodies of water, and cause the stone in statues and
buildings to dissolve. Scientists are investigating the possible effects of acid rain on human and animal
health. Acid pollutants can be deposited through rain, snow, fog, dew, or sleet. Greater quantities can
also be deposited in a dry form through dust. Pollutants that contribute to acid rain may be carried
hundreds of miles before being deposited on the earth. Because of this, it is sometimes difficult to
determine the specific sources of acid rain pollutants.
Materials:
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vinegar2
water
2 containers with lids
2 small pieces of chalk
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2 medium-sized eggshell pieces
2 small green leaves
2 paper clips
Before starting this experiment, make some predictions.
If vinegar contains acid, then how will some items placed in vinegar change?
If these items are placed in water, will they change in the same ways as in vinegar?
Procedure:
1. Pour vinegar in one container. Place an eggshell piece, a leaf, a piece of chalk, and a paper clip in
the container. Put the lid on the container.
2. Pour water in the other container. Place an eggshell, a leaf, a piece of chalk, and a paper clip in
this container. Put the lid on the container.
3. Let the two sealed containers sit overnight, one or two nights.
4. Remove the container lids. Observe any changes that took place in the two containers.
Record your observations in a science journal or on a data sheet.
Results:
In the container of water, the items, except for the chalk, will not show noticeable changes. In the
container of vinegar, the eggshell will be soft, the leaf will have brown spots on it, the chalk will be
dissolved, and the paperclip will not show a noticeable change. This experiment demonstrates that acidic
solutions can be harmful, particularly to living things.
Air Observations—On the first day of every month record the following data:
 The date, time of day, and any weather or unusual patterns that might affect air quality
 Looking out the window, how far you can see (in approximate miles)
 Note the time and quality of the sunset that evening….you’ll see that very often poor air quality makes
a beautiful sunset!!—Let’s keep our sunsets beautiful, but let’s keep our air clean too!!
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Adapted from Environmental Science Notes, 1996, Frank Schaeffer Publications, by Peggy Matthews,
Texas A&M Corpus Christi, TX.
Vinegar is a dilute solution of acetic acid.