Focus Ask the students how they get to school and graph the types of transportation used. Background Air pollution is a problem in many areas. Air pollution is air that is dirty compared to its original state. Air pollution can be harmful to people, animals, plants, and structures. Vehicles produce a large percentage of air pollution.
Vehicle exhausts contains carbon monoxide and small traces of volatile organic compounds.
These compounds, on hot, sunny days with light winds, can produce ground level ozone. Ozone is an air pollutant that can cause health problems after high levels of exposure. Ozone is a main component of smog. Another common pollutant is airborne particulate matter. Some examples are tiny particles of soil, ash, or emissions from some factories that can get into your lungs and cause health problems.