Photochemical Smog
Name: _________________________________ Date: _____________
Photochemical smog is a type of air pollution that forms when certain gases in the atmosphere react with sunlight. When smog levels are high, a smoggy haze settles like a thick blanket over a city where it can cause respiratory and other health problems.
How does photochemical smog form? How bad is it in your area? What can you do about it? You'll find out in this activity.
- To start, you'll take a look at the chemistry of photochemical smog. Read the chemical reactions shown on the page and fill in the blanks describing these reactions below.
Car exhaust contains compounds of nitrogen such as _________________ and __________________. When the concentration of ___________________ is above clean air levels and there is plenty of __________________ , an __________________ atom splits off from the _____________________ molecule. This __________________ atom can react with an ____________________ molecule to form the chemical called ________________ or O3. - To learn how smoggy the air is in your area, visit the EPA's Air Now page. Select your state from the pull-down mwnu below Local Air Quality Conditions and Forecasts and click Go. Then click on the city closest to where you live.
Today's ozone rating in _____________________ (your city or area) is _____________________. The rating color is __________________.
Tomorrow's ozone rating is ____________________. The rating color is ______________________. - What is today's health message for your area? Click detailed forecast to get more information.
- To find out how healthy the air is in the rest of the nation today, look at the National Air Quality Forecast. Complete the following chart:
Air Quality Rating States/Regions Good Moderate Unhealthy for sensitive groups Unhealthy Hazardous - Nexy you'll complete the chart below as you learn how You Can Help Keep the Air Cleaner with tips in the following categories:
Category Things You Can Do Transportation Household Lawn and Garden
