# Presentation: 656687

**Notes:**
	Now I’d like to talk about air, which is a big part of weather. 	K.C. Chameleon and his friends will help me do this. 
 	We’re all breathing all the time. With every breath, what do we 	take in?  (Response: “Air”) 
 	You can feel the air right now on your hand if you just swing it 	gently back and forth. 
	Most of the time, the air looks clear. But have any of you ever	seen air when it wasn’t clear? Sometimes the air can look a	little dirty, or smoky, or hazy,  like this. (show next slide) 

**Notes:**
 	These pictures show the same place with clean air and dirty air. 
 	Sometimes when air looks dirty, that can be a sign that pollution	is in the air. 
 	Does anyone know what pollution is? 
 	That’s right. Pollution means that the air is dirty from things like	dust, chemicals, or soot (soot is a black substance, like that in	chimneys, that is formed from burning things like wood or oil).

**Notes:**
 	Here K.C. is showing us some of the biggest pollution sources:	cars and trucks, factories that make things like desks and chairs,   	power plants that make electricity, some ordinary products like 	house paints, and many other things. Also, things in nature, like 	forest fires and volcanoes, can pollute the air. 
 	What do you think happens when people breathe air that is dirty? 
 	Breathing dirty air is not good for people. For example: You	might feel like it’s harder to breathe, you might cough, or your	chest might feel tight. 
 	How can you protect yourself from dirty air?

**Notes:**
 	Sometimes you can see when the air is dirty, but sometimes you 	can’t. So we need another way to tell if our air is dirty. 
 	To do that, we can use something called the Air Quality Index, 	or AQI for short. Let’s take a look at what that is.

**Notes:**
 	The AQI uses colors to tell us how clean or dirty the air is. 
 	Which color do you think means the air is clean? 	Green, the same color that traffic lights use to tell you it’s OK 	to go, means the air is clean.  
 	Which color do you think means the air is really dirty? It’s the 	darkest color: Purple. 
  	Maybe you’re wondering: How can I find the AQI? Checking the 	AQI is like checking the weather report.

**Notes:**
 	You can always find the AQI on the Internet at a site called 	AirNow at: www.airnow.gov

**Notes:**
 	When the air is polluted, sometimes you’ll hear about it on TV 	during the weather forecast.

**Notes:**
 	Sometimes you, or your parents, can find it on the weather page 	in the newspaper. 
 	So finding out how clean or dirty the air is each day is one thing 	you can do to protect your health. Here’s another thing you can 	do.

**Notes:**
 	Exercise and playing outside are good for you. But when the air 	is dirty, you should take some simple steps to protect your 	health. 	
 	If you play outside when you know the air is polluted, 	you can take it easier. That could mean, for example, walking 	instead of running, taking frequent breaks, or planning to play 	outside at another time or on another day when the air is cleaner. 
 	Let’s think why this makes sense. Do you breathe more when 	you’re very active or when you’re taking it easier? 
 	We don’t breathe as hard when we’re taking it easier, which is a 	good thing if the air is polluted. 
 	Here’s another thing you can do.

**Notes:**
 	If you notice any signs when you are playing outside—like 	unusual coughing, pain when you take a deep breath, chest 	tightness, or wheezing—stop playing and tell an adult. 
 	If you have asthma, a lung condition that can sometimes make it 	difficult to breathe, pay special attention on polluted days. If you 	think you or a friend may be having an asthma attack, tell an 	adult.   
 	Let’s review the three things you can do.

**Notes:**
 	If you can, find out what the air quality color is each day. You 	might want to tell your parents about the AQI colors so they can 	help you check how clean or dirty the air is.

 	If the air is dirty, take it easier when you play outside, or change 	your play time to when the air is better.

   If you have a hard time breathing when the air is dirty, tell an 	adult.                            

**Notes:**
 	Here’s a cool website where you can learn more about the air 	quality colors and what they mean. 

 	Here you can learn more about air pollution and the AQI and 	play some games. 
 	Pass out handout
 	This handout reminds you about what you can do. It also shows 	you where this kids’ website is and where you or your parents 	can go to get AQI information.