Air Quality Health Index classroom kit, grades 5 and 6, health: chapter 2

Introductory Activity: Silent Fact or Fiction? - Overhead

Fact of Fiction?

1. There is an AQHI that is like the ultraviolet (UV) index, only it tells us about the health risk from air pollution for that day.
2. Air pollution is an issue for cities. People who live in rural areas are not affected.
3. The AQHI is based on the risks of common air pollutants that harm human health.
4. A common air pollutant that harms human health is: dust.
5. The AQHI is part of the forecast.
6. Air pollution makes asthma symptoms worse.
7. For AQHI, the lower the number, the greater the health risk associated with the air quality. (An AQHI of 2 is worse than an AQHI of 10.)
8. A common air pollutant that harms human health is: oxygen.
9. Weather does not affect air quality.
10. For high UV you cover up and add sunscreen; for high AQHI you change your plans.
11. Children are the least sensitive to the adverse health effects of air pollution.
12. The AQHI in ____________ today is ______. The AQHI in ____________ is ______.
13. High UV radiation makes more ground-level ozone, which is a pollutant.
14. The shape of the land can allow pollutants to be trapped in basins and valleys.
15. Strong winds allow pollutants to build up over an area.
16. Running your gas-powered lawnmower for 1 hour is equal to driving a new car between 320 and 480 kilometres.
17. Some people are more sensitive to air pollution.
18. Blue is used to show a very high health risk from air quality.
19. Air pollution is a problem throughout the seasons.
20. A full bus takes 40 to 60 cars off the road.

Answers:

1. Fact   2. Fiction   3. Fact   4. Fact   5. Fact   6. Fact   7. Fiction   8. Fiction   9. Fiction   10. Fact
11. Fiction   12. Fiction (See Notes)   13. Fact   14. Fact   15. Fiction   16. Fact   17. Fact   18. Fiction   19. Fact   20. Fact