GLOBE Ireland Classroom Resource:
Introduction to
Air Quality
Primary School Edition
A note to teachers...
This presentation is designed for 4th-6th class students. If presenting to younger year groups, please have a look through the slides and adjust if needed
What is pollution?
Pollution: The introduction of harmful products or substances into the environment.
There are many different types of pollution.
In this resource we will focus on Air Pollution
Where would you rather live?
Option A
Option B
What is air pollution?
Air pollution: Any substance in the air that is harmful to humans, other forms of life, and materials.
Air quality (AQ): the amount of pollutants in the air at any given time
Where does air pollution come from (sources)?
Are there any natural sources of air pollution?
Which air pollutants do you know of?
Which air pollutants do you think are most common around schools?
Why should we care about air pollution?
1
2
3
4
5
Can you answer these questions?
Sources of air pollution in Ireland
The main sources of air pollution in Ireland are traffic & solid fuel burning.
Source: www.independent.ie
Can we see when the air is polluted?
Sometimes, but pollutant particles/molecules are tiny!
Smog layer
Visible smog layer (smoke + fog)
Question:
How do we tell the difference between fog and smog?
Answer:
Measurements of air pollution
Did you know?
Common indicators of air quality include: PM2.5, NO2, SO2, O3, CO
Experts rate the level of air pollution or AQ using the Air Quality Index (AQI).
The AQI is determined by looking at the amounts of key pollutants in the air.
The higher the AQI, the more unhealthy the air is to breathe.
Air Quality Index (AQI)
Air Quality
Index (AQI)
Click here
to watch a video about AQI
How do experts measure AQ?
Sensors
Monitoring Stations
Satellites
Source: European Space Agency
Click on the
to watch a video about each type of equipment
Scientists most often use the following equipment to measure AQ:
Click here
to watch a video about Air Monitoring Stations
The invention of easy-to-use, low-cost, and reliable sensors have made it so that many organisations, institutions and individuals are also contributing to global AQ measurements.
But it’s not just experts who measure air quality anymore!
How often do experts measure AQ?
Experts use:
AQ values to compare with international guidelines and determine the risk to humans.
Short-term exposure to very high levels of pollution (very low AQ) can cause health emergencies (e.g., asthma attacks).
Why do we look at hourly AQ?
Long-term exposure to even low levels of
pollution (moderate AQ) can cause chronic health problems.
Chronic conditions are usually less severe than emergency situations, but more persistent (e.g., long disease).
Why do we look at yearly AQ?
Explore
Global air quality
Click here
to explore the global air quality map
Click the link to explore the map of global AQ. Which country has the station with the highest air pollution reading?
1
Are there certain times of day when the concentration of that pollutant is higher? (Tip: Click on the AQ station to see more info)
2
Imagine that you have Asthma and are planning a hike in 2 days near the location you mentioned in Question 1. Will it be safe for you to go on this hike? (Tip: Look for the AQ forecast)
3
ACTIVITY
Did you know?
High levels of pollution in one country can reduce AQ for its neighbours
How bad is AQ in Ireland?
HOWEVER
Source: The Irish Heart Foundation using European Environment Agency data
Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration in 2019
Ireland’s overall air quality is generally good and is among the best in Europe. Why do you think this is?
Click here
to view your nearest EPA AQ station
Click here
to see an Air Quality Monitoring Station in Ireland
Why should we care about air pollution?�Environmental Impacts
Photographer: Nino Barbieri
Acid Rain
Source: geeksforgeeks.org
Click here
to watch a video about acid rain
Photographer: Martin Hardy
Lough Neagh, NI
Eutrophication
Click here
to watch a video about eutrophication
Greenhouse Effect
Click here
to watch a video about the greenhouse effect
Why Should We Care About Air Pollution?�Threats to humans
These are sudden, severe impacts caused by exposure to high levels of pollution. E.g., lung & heart problems
Acute Impacts
These are long-term symptoms that results from prolonged exposure to bad air quality. It can affect every organ in the body and can cause new issues or make existing issues worse.
Chronic Impacts
2 types of impacts:
Air pollution & health statistics
7 000 000
People die every year due to air pollution
RIP
99%
Of people breathe unsafe air
Who is most vulnerable?
Some population groups are more exposed or more vulnerable to environmental hazards. Such groups include:
Divide into groups and pretend that you are on a government task force to solve air pollution in Ireland.
1
Let’s solve
Air Pollution
ACTIVITY
Each group must come up with 3 ideas of how to address this problem. Optional: Use the SMART method to guide your action plan.
2
Remember to consider the environmental, economic and social impact of your ideas
3
Global efforts to address air pollution
United Nations:
Goal 3.9 By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses air pollution
Goal 11.6 Reduce Environmental Impact of cities by improving air quality
Goal 7.1 Ensure access to clean energy in homes
WHO air quality guidelines
Constant exposure to anything above this for over a year is deemed unsafe by WHO
Long-term exposure limit
Constant exposure to anything above this for over a day is deemed unsafe by WHO
Short-term exposure limit
NO2
25
10
PM2.5
15
5
Efforts to reduce air pollution
International
National
(Ireland)
Community
Cork, Ireland
Dublin, Cork, Mayo, Limerick
London, England
Ireland Clean Air Strategy: �Some Key Measures
Continuous Improvement
Integration into Policy
Gather more Evidence
Better Enforcement
Promote Awareness
Progress! Let’s keep it going
Emissions (tonnes)
Source: Council of the European Union with data from European Environment Agency (EEA)
EU countries have experienced a decrease in air pollution due to strict regulations since the 1990s.
41%
Drop in air pollution-related EU deaths between 2005 & 2021
How Can You Help?
Ways that YOU can help reduce air pollution:
| PM Surveys | NO2 Surveys |
Study region | Limerick | Whole of Ireland |
No. of Participants | 3 | 215 |
Data shared with | EPA | EPA |
GLOBE Ireland offers 2 opportunities for students to contribute to important citizen science data collection. These are:
How does data from citizen scientists help experts?
Where does air pollution come from (sources)?
Are there any natural sources of air pollution?
Which air pollutants do you know of?
Which air pollutants do you think are most common around schools?
Why should we care about air pollution?
1
2
3
4
5
Can you answer these questions?
More Resources
Let us know if you have any questions or suggestions!
globe@eeu.antaisce.org