6.2 The Air: Breath of Life
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- | Hi there! I’m Dusty, born in construction sites, wildfires, and even from your cosy wood-burning stove. My brothers and I are tiny—so small you can’t see us—but we’re sneaky!
We float into your nose, settle in your lungs, and even find our way into your bloodstream. Sometimes, we team up with smoke to cause heart and lung trouble. But don’t hate me too much; I didn’t ask to be made. If you keep factories and cars in check, I’ll stay out of your way!
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Hello! I’m Stealthy, short for Carbon Monoxide. You won’t see or smell me—I’m invisible! I’m created whenever fuel burns, like in car engines, fireplaces, or stoves.
My favorite trick? I stop oxygen from doing its job in your blood, making you dizzy, confused, or even really sick. I’m from bustling cities and anywhere there’s traffic or heating. Be careful around me—good ventilation keeps me away, and I respect a working smoke detector.
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I’m Sooty Sulfur, but my friends call me SO₂. I come from factories and power plants where fossil fuels are burned.
My favourite activity? Irritating lungs and making breathing hard for kids and grandparents alike. When I mix with water in the air, I create acid rain—great for ruining plants and even buildings! Want me to chill out? Use cleaner energy sources like wind and solar, and I’ll take a much-needed vacation.
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Hey! I’m Nitro, the Nitrogen Dioxide guy. I cruise out of car tailpipes and hang around power plants. You’ll spot me in places with lots of traffic, turning the air into a brownish haze.
I love picking on people with asthma, making it harder for them to breathe. My dream? To one day relax and retire when everyone switches to electric cars and cleaner fuels. Until then, I’ll keep doing what I do best: causing trouble!
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- Have you ever noticed strange smells, smoke, or haze in the air where you live? How does it make you feel?
- Do you think the air around you is clean? Why or why not?
- What’s the worst air pollution you’ve experienced? What was it like?
- Have you or someone you know ever felt sick because of bad air?
- What do you do to protect yourself when the air quality is poor?
- If you could change one thing to improve air quality, what would it be?
- Do you think your daily habits, like how you travel or what you buy, impact air pollution?
- How do you imagine a future with clean air would look? Would you change anything in your lifestyle to make that happen?
Check out the Air Quality Index map. Enter your zip code or city to find out the latest AQI value.