Emission Control and Air Pollution Module

● Teacher Pages

• Overview

• Connections to Standards

• Lesson Structure and Evaluation
• Lesson Structure and Evaluation for Davea

• Lesson Extension

• Applicable Classes

● Student Pages

• Problem Statement

• Day 1: Introduction
• Day 2: Activities and Overview

• Day 3-4: Analyze the Data

• Day 3-4: Exhaust Emission Test Report for Davea
• Day 5a: How to pass the emissions test?
• Day 5b: Final Evaluation and Extension Activities

● Contact Information

Facts and Suggestions

Facts

At present in the United States:

Motor vehicles are responsible for up to half of the ozone-forming volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides.
Motor vehicles release more than 50 percent of the hazardous air pollutants.
Motor vehicles release up to 90 percent of the carbon monoxide found in urban air.

Automobiles are a major source of air pollution in most areas. As our roads become more congested, our quality of life, the land we live on, and the air we breathe need to be protected.

Everyone in the country has an important part to play. Discuss with your class some ways you, as individuals, can help reduce air pollution. Prepare a brief report to share with other classes at the final conference you will participate on air pollution from vehicle emissions.

Suggestions

• Use Public Transportation
• Carpool with Other Students
• Use a Skateboard
• Ride the School Bus
• Walk
• Ride a Bicycle

Here are some driving tips for students (and their parents!):

1. Organize your trips. Driving fewer miles will help reduce air pollution.

2. Participate in a carpool and use public transportation: this reduces the number of cars on the road and the number of miles driven.

3. Get regular engine tune-ups and car maintenance checks.

4. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and your wheels aligned.

5. Consider buying fuel efficient cars.

You can also find more information about tips to save gas and improve mileage, and what YOU can do to reduce pollution in the following homepages:

References:

The Plain English Guide to the Clean Air Act, U.S. EPA; What You Can Do to Reduce Air Pollution, U.S. EPA.

Earth Day 1990 fact sheet "The Automobile"

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