NCSCOS Grade 7 Science - 7.E.1.6 Air Quality Vocabulary

contamination of the atmosphere by pollutants from human and natural sources that are harmful to the enviornment

rain, sleet, snow contains a high concentration of acids (acid precipitation)

a colloid of smoke, fog, and chemicals that pollutes the environment.

Environmental Protection Agency (provides daily information about air quality to the public).

coal, oil, gas that can release carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide when burned causing air pollution etc.

gradual thinning of the ozone layer (located in stratosphere) due to certain pollutants (CFCs).

three atoms of oxygen; in the stratosphere=helpful to living things; in the troposphere=is a pollutant (harmful to all life); forms when emissions from industries and motor vehicles react with air and sunlight.

layer located in the stratosphere that helps protect humans, plants and animal life from harmful ultraviolet rays.

gradual increase in average global temperatures due to increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

gases that absorb thermal energy in the atmosphere; ex: carbon dioxide, water vapor

warming of surface and lower atmosphere of Earth occurs when water vapor, carbon dioxide other gases absorb and reradiate thermal energy.

management (taking care of) or being responsible for the care of one's environment (Earth), ex. reduce, reuse, recycle, not littering or cleaning up trash.

law used to reduce air pollution giving the EPA the authority to regulate the amount of air pollutants that can be released from any source such as cars, factories.

a measure of local air quality and what it means for health

color on the AQI that indicates good air quality with little to no risk for anyone