Stepping Up to Solutions: Ozone and the Clean Air Act

Problems that Cause the Problems that Cause the Problem People driving everywhere Farmers use chemicals to keep bugs/pests away Using electricity People using products made by VOC and NOx producing industries

Causes of the Problem VOCs: petroleum products (vehicle fuels); Chemicals in paints, solvents, pesticides, etc.; (chemicals), Industry NOx comes from burning fuel: Power plants, Vehicles, Industrial/Commercial Fuel Combustion

The Problem Ozone down near earth’s surface (air pollution) SMOG What is ozone? Product of chemical reaction between nitrogen oxides and VOCs in the presence of sunlight.

What Problems Does the Problem Cause? Breathing problems Makes it hard to exercise outside Kills plants Less crops = less food Trees dying = less O2 production, more CO2 in atmosphere -> global warming Farmers produce less, make less money

Solutions Clean Air Act – sets limits to VOC and NOx emissions from vehicles and industry Alternative fuel sources Removing VOCs from products Carpooling, public transportations, etc.