APES- Ozone (Good and Bad) DO NOT WRITE ON THIS SHEETUse a separate piece of paper- write out questions/headings

for reference Go to: http://www.epa.gov/oar/oaqps/gooduphigh/ Click on: Good Up High Answer the following questions in your own words: (On separate piece of paper) 1: How can ozone be both good and bad? Here, ground-level or "bad" ozone is an air pollutant that is harmful to breathe and it damages crops, trees and other vegetation. The stratospheric or "good" ozone protects life on Earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. 2: What is happening to the good ozone layer? Gradually being destroyed by man-made chemicals referred to as ozone-depleting substances (ODS). 3: How much damage can 1 Chlorine atom do? Explain. Scientists estimate that one chlorine atom can destroy 100,000 "good" ozone molecules. 4: How does the good ozone protect the Earth?

Protects the earth from harmful ultra violet rays 5: What is being done about ozone depletion? Its being recognized and in 1987 adopted a treaty called the Montreal Protocol to phase out the production and use of ozone-depleting substances Click on: Bad Nearby 1: What causes bad ozone? It is created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the presence of sunlight. 2: What are some sources of bad ozone? Emissions from industrial facilities and electric utilities, motor vehicle exhaust, gasoline vapors, and chemical solvents are some of the major sources of NOx and VOC.

3: How does bad ozone affect human health and environment? Breathing ozone can trigger a variety of diseases to humans and it damages vegetation and ecosystems. 4: What is being done about bad ozone?

Under the Clean Air Act, EPA has set protective health-based standards for ozone in the air we breathe. 5: What can we do/actions can we take to reduce our risks? reformulate fuels and consumer/commercial products, such as paints and chemical solvents, that contain VOC. Voluntary programs also encourage communities to adopt practices, such as carpooling, to reduce harmful emissions. Ozone- Air Now Go to: www.epa.gov/airnow/ In the far right cornerchoose Ozone - found under Air Quality Basics. Read about good and bad ozone and answer the following questions. 1: Where is the good ozone located and what is its function? Its located in the earths upper atmosphere 6-30 miles above the earths surface. It helps sheirlds us from the suns harmful UV rays. 2: What depletes good ozone? Manmade chemicals are known to destroy this beneficial ozone. An area where the

protective "ozone layer" has been significantly depleted 3: Where is the bad ozone located and what creates it? What does NOX and VOC stand for? Its located in the earths lower atmosphere, near ground level. It is formed when pollutants emitted by different activities react chemically in the presence of sunlight. NOX= oxides of nitrogen VOC= volatile organic compounds

4: List three health problems associated with bad ozone. (Hint: You may need to go to Ozone and your Health- How can ground-level ozone affect your health?) Irritate your respiratory system, reduce lung function, Inflame and damage cells that line your lungs.

5: Scroll down to the Air Quality Index Color Chart- Write down a one-word descriptor of each color code.

GreenGood YellowModerate OrangeUnhealthy for Sensitive Groups RedUnhealthy PurpleVery Unhealthy 6: After answering this question, go back to Air Now at: www.epa.gov/airnow/ In the far left corner, choose National Overview and then choose Ozone Now. What is the current ozone reading for our area? Good (use color code) Moderate- yellow

How ozone is formed Ozone is formed from nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds. It is located in the earths upper atmosphere at ground level. Good up high, Bad near by Ozone is located in the upper atmosphere and protects the earth from dangerous UV rays. Thats the good ozone that is located up high. When ozone gets down or near to the atmosphere it is harmful for humans. It causes diseases as lung disease and many problems related with breathing. Not only with humans but it is also not friendly with the environment. It damages crops and vegetation. In worst cases it causes skin cancer.

Which set of conditions produce the best possible scenario for the city? Increase clouds/sky cover, medium for inversion, High for wind, medium for temperature, decrease all emissions and population is decreased.

Which set of conditions produce the worst scenario for the people, animals and plants

of Smog City? Decrease clouds, high inversion, no wind, high amount of pollution for every aspect, high population and random events happening.

Ozone is a gas that is found both in the earths upper atmosphere and lower atmosphere. Based on its location it can either be bad or good. The bad ozone occurs in the troposphere while the good ozone occurs in the stratosphere. Good ozone Protects life on earth from the suns harmful ultraviolet rays. But not acknowledging the use it is being destroyed by man-made chemicals known as ozone depleting substances, such as chlorofluorocarbons, Hydro chlorofluorocarbons and more. For a comparison it is estimated that one chlorine atom can destroy 100,000 ozone molecules. The depletion of ozone has an effect on both the environment and on humans health. It increases skin cancer, cataracts and impaired immune system. As for the environment it damages crops and marine phytoplankton which is the base of the marine ecosystem. The United States recognized the threats posed by ozone depletion and in 1987 adopted a treaty called the Montreal protocol. It is necessary to protect ozone because we live

with it every day. If we take care of it will benefit us but if we pollute it or harm it will have a negative impact in our environment and health.