Smog Busters

This content was archived on June 24, 2013.

2002
ISBN: 0-662-32051-4
Cat. No.: H46-2/02-276E

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Table of Contents

• Smog Busters story
• Clean Air Race game
• Make a poster
• Maze puzzle
• Word search
• Science experiment
• Quiz
• Answers to puzzles and games

Be A Smog Buster

There are many things you can do to reduce air pollution. For more information, please contact:

• Air Health Effects Division
  Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch
  Health Canada
  (613) 957-1876
• E-mail: air@hc-sc.gc.ca

One day Katie and Byron were playing on their front lawn. They had been playing tag, but after a few minutes, Katie sat down on the ground panting.

"It's a bit hard to breathe today," said Katie.

"It is very smoggy," replied Byron. "There must be something in the air that is making it harder for you to breathe."

Suddenly, a man and woman appeared from nowhere. He was dressed in a red super hero costume, and she was dressed in a yellow one.

"Greetings!" said the man. "I'm SpectaculAir!"

"And I'm OxyGenius," said the woman. "We're here to help!"

"Are you Super Heroes?" asked Katie.

"Yes, we're the Smog Busters," answered SpectaculAir. "We try to make it easier to breathe by fighting pollution!"

"Wow, that's great!" replied Byron. "But, what's pollution?"

"Pollution is the word for all the dirt and smog in the air. Pollution makes it hard for people to breathe, especially on hot days like today," said OxyGenius.

"Where is the pollution?" asked Katie.

"Pollution is outdoors and indoors," said SpectaculAir. "It is in the city and in the country."

"Hey, there's our Uncle Bob," said Katie. The kids pointed to a car parked at the side of the road.

Even though the car was parked, the engine was running and smoke was coming out of the exhaust pipe. The children walked over to the car with the Smog Busters.

"Hi, Uncle Bob. These are our new friends," said Byron.

"Yeah, and they're the Smog Busters," said Katie. "They fight pollution so that we can breathe more easily in cleaner air!"

"Hello," said Uncle Bob, "is there anything I can do to help?"

OxyGenius smiled and said,"Bob, your car is emitting a lot of smelly smoke.You probably need a tune-up, but you should turn it off when you are not driving. Over time, with less idling, you can reduce pollution and save some gas too."

SpectaculAir said, "Here's an even better idea, Bob. Try walking or riding your bike. If you have to drive, consider taking the bus or car pooling with other people to cut down on the pollution."

"Hmm, that's not a bad idea!" said Uncle Bob, turning off his car. "I've been thinking lately that I should get some more exercise!"

For the rest of the day, the Smog Busters worked hard with the children. Katie and Byron pointed out lots of things that were causing the air to be smoggy. SpectaculAir and OxyGenius informed lots of people about the activities that cause pollution. They talked about the exhaust from factories, cars, and trucks. They pointed out that pollution is also caused by simple things like lawn mowers, barbecues, and bonfires.

They also said that fumes from chemicals in house-cleaning products were causing indoor air pollution that could affect people's health.

"All of these things can harm the environment and make it hard for people to breathe," the Smog Busters told everyone they met.

Eventually, the Smog Busters had to leave to teach people in other places about pollution. Before they left, they asked Katie and Byron to be Smog Busters too. "But we don't have costumes like you," said Katie.

OxyGenius bent down and looked at Katie and Byron. "You don't need a costume to be a Smog Buster or a Super Hero," she said.

"In fact," added SpectaculAir, "the best Smog Busters and heroes are regular people, just like you."

"But what can we do?" asked Byron.

"We're just kids!" chimed Katie.

"Reduce pollution just like we've been telling people today. Then make sure tell all your friends and relatives," said SpectaculAir.

"You mean, we can make a difference?" asked Katie.

You certainly can! "said OxyGenius, and SpectaculAir added, "Every little bit helps." The Smog Busters flew away into the air, leaving the new Smog Busters to continue the work of reducing pollution. The kids them and for the rest of the day ran around on their lawn pretending that they were SpectaculAir and OxyGenius.

Can you think of things in your town that cause pollution? What can you do to be a Smog Buster and help clean up the air

 

Air pollution can make it hard to breather for everyone. Use this page to make aposter about ways to reduce air pollution.

Puzzle Answers