For example, the show teaches kids that fumes from cars, trucks and factories can cause ozone to form in the air on hot, sunny days. The students also learn that ground-level ozone can be unhealthy to breathe, particularly for children and people with asthma and other breathing problems. But it can be beneficial in the upper atmosphere, where it shields the Earth from harmful solar rays. Here I come to save clean air, the caped Air Avenger says during the puppet show as he swoops in to carry the Ozone Monster to the upper atmosphere, where it can protect the Earth. The DAQ will stage puppet shows at two locations in Asheville on Monday.
News media are welcome to attend the show at either location.
The puppet show is one of several teaching tools and public awareness efforts developed by the division. The division also holds workshops for teachers based on curriculum guides and lesson plans developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The division has other educational programs directed at the general public. Starting in May, the DAQ will expand to the Asheville area its Ozone Action program, which issues daily ozone forecasts and informs the public about air pollution, its causes and effects, and ways to prevent it. Tomorrow, Western North Carolina Regional Air Pollution Control Agency, and other regional organizations.