Eco-Jeopardy - Round 1
Potent Pollutants | Recycle Scramble | Eco-Motion | Good Earth-Keeping | Alternative Energy | Fit to Drink
- Very small soot particles – called particulate matter – can trigger this breathing problem.
- What is asthma?
- Particulate matter (PM) is made of very tiny solid particles and liquid droplets. PM has many sources including: smoke from burning activities; industry smoke stacks; diesel engines; wind-blown soil or sand; and dust from construction. PM causes health problems such as: breathing difficulties; asthma attacks; worsened bronchitis, heart and lung disease; and irritation of the eyes, throat, skin and nose. PM harms the environment by: damaging plants; causing water pollution; damaging buildings and reducing visibility in scenic areas. For more information on PM and asthma, visit:
- www.scdhec.gov/environment/baq/b2.aspx
- www.scdhec.gov/environment/baq/pm.aspx
- www.scdhec.gov/environment/baq/openburning.aspx
- www.scdhec.gov/hs/epidata/asthma/stateasthma.pdf
- www.cdc.gov/asthma/default.htm
- www.epa.gov/asthma/index.html
- www.epa.gov/air/airpollutants.html
- www.airnow.gov/
- kids.niehs.nih.gov/asthma.htm
Potent Pollutants 400
- Nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide can cause this type of harmful rain.
- What is acid rain?
- Acid rain forms high in the atmosphere when certain gases, mainly sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), mix with water vapor and sunlight. The pollutants that cause acid rain come from motor vehicles (cars, trucks, SUVs), power plants and other industries. Acid rain harms the environment by polluting water and harming aquatic life and damaging crops and other plants. It also damages man-made structures such as statues and buildings. For more information on acid rain, visit:
Potent Pollutants 600
- This gas protects us from the sun's radiation "up high," but is harmful to breathe "nearby."
- What is ozone?
- “Good” ozone is found up high in the stratosphere and protects us from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. “Bad” ozone is found nearby in the troposphere, which is the air near the ground that we breathe. It forms when certain chemicals from vehicle exhaust, industry emissions and natural sources mix and react in strong sunlight. Ground-level ozone causes health problems such as worsened chronic bronchitis; asthma attacks; chest pains, shortness of breath, nausea, coughing and wheezing. It harms the environment by damaging plants and crops, and it is one of several pollutants found in smog (which is usually invisible in South Carolina). The Air Quality Index (AQI) provides forecasts for ozone levels using a color scale to indicate severity. For more information on ground-level ozone and AQI forecast, visit:
- www.scdhec.gov/environment/baq/b2.aspx
- www.scdhec.gov/environment/baq/baqspare.asp
- www.scdhec.gov/environment/baq/scozone.aspx?Page=scozone
- www.epa.gov/oar/oaqps/gooduphigh/
- www.airnow.gov/
- www.smogcity2.org/
- spaceplace.jpl.nasa.gov/en/kids/tes/gases/ (scroll down)
- www.epa.gov/ozone/science/missoz/index.html
Potent Pollutants 800
- This air pollutant is often found in old buildings and can cause cancer.
- What is asbestos?
- Asbestos is a general name given to some types of naturally occurring minerals. Asbestos can be separated into very fine and extremely durable fibers that were used for decades in construction materials, insulation, fire retardants, automotive parts and other products. Asbestos is known to cause certain types of cancer and respiratory diseases. There are now substitutes for asbestos and it has been removed from many buildings. For more information on asbestos, visit:
Potent Pollutants 1000
- This toxic metal gets into the air when we burn coal. It also gets into water and fish.
- What is mercury?
- Mercury occurs naturally, but certain human activities add mercury to the air, water and soil. Exposure to mercury, even small amounts, may cause serious health problems. The most common way people are exposed to mercury is by eating fish containing mercury. Mercury is most harmful to pregnant women, their babies and children under the age of 14. For more information on mercury, visit:
- www.scdhec.gov/environment/admin/Mercury/mercury.htm
- www.epa.gov/mercury/
- www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts46.html
- www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm
- To learn more about mercury in fish in South Carolina, visit the SC Fish Consumption Advisories: www.scdhec.gov/environment/water/fish/advisories.htm
- Un-scramble these words.
- What are glass jars, newspapers, cardboard, plastic bottles and aluminum cans?
- In South Carolina, most county recycling programs accept common recyclables such as aluminum cans, plastic bottles (soft drink, detergent, shampoo and other similar bottles as well as milk jugs), newspapers (including inserts), cardboard, steel cans (fruit, vegetable, soup and other food as well as beverage cans) and glass bottles (clear, green and brown). Programs also accept many other items such as magazines, office paper and unwanted mail. To learn more about recycling, visit:
- One of the biggest sources of air pollution.
- What are motor vehicles (cars, trucks, and SUVs)?
- "Mobile sources" is a term used to describe a wide variety of vehicles, engines and equipment that generate air pollution and that move or can be moved from place to place. In numerous cities across the country, the personal automobile is the single greatest polluter, as emissions from millions of vehicles on the road add up. Driving alone in a car is probably a typical citizen’s most “polluting” daily activity. For more information on mobile source pollution, visit:
Eco-Motion 400
- Instead of driving alone, this can save gas and reduce air pollution.
- What is carpooling?
- A carpool is a group of commuters who live and work near each other and who share the same approximate work hours. Carpooling is encouraged to reduce emissions. For more information on carpooling, visit: www.epa.gov/rtp/transportation/carpooling/carpooling.htm
Eco-Motion 600
- These cars use less gas because they also run on electricity.
- What are hybrid cars?
- Hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) combine the benefits of gasoline engines and electric motors. HEVs typically combine the internal combustion engine of a conventional vehicle with the battery and electric motor of an electric vehicle. The combination offers low emissions, with the power, range and convenient fueling of conventional (gasoline and diesel) vehicles—and HEVs never need to be plugged in. For more information on hybrid vehicles, visit:
Eco-Motion 800
- Many cities reduce car use by offering this system of buses, trains, and subways.
- What is public transportation?
- Public transportation is vital to jobs, economic expansion and quality of life in our community. Riding the bus can be inexpensive, convenient and comfortable. It also saves wear and tear on personal vehicles while reducing traffic congestion and air pollution. For more information on the benefits of public transportation, visit:
- Having these in your yard shades your house, filters your air, and prevents runoff and erosion.
- What are trees?
- Urban trees and vegetation improve air quality in several ways. They absorb and filter pollutants from the air. By shading buildings, they lower demand for electricity used by air conditioners, thereby helping to decrease emissions from power plants. If widely planted throughout a community, trees can cool the air and slow the temperature-dependent reaction that forms ground-level ozone pollution. Trees, especially native species, can also provide food and habitat for animals. For more information on the environmental benefits of trees, visit:
Good Earth-Keeping 600
- Give waste the brush. Save water and energy by turning off the faucet while you do this.
- What is brushing your teeth?
- Letting your faucet run for five minutes uses about as much energy as letting a 60-watt light bulb run for 14 hours!! By reducing household water use you can not only help reduce the energy required to supply and treat public water supplies but also can help address climate change. Conserving water saves money and means there is more water available to go around. For more information on water and energy efficiency, visit:
Good Earth-Keeping 800
- Burning household trash in these pollutes the air and is against the law.
- What are burn barrels?
- Never burn household garbage; it is illegal in South Carolina. Many plastics and other materials in household garbage release hazardous air pollutants when burned. By reducing waste, recycling and composting you will help save landfill space. Burning yard debris (leaves, grass clippings, branches) may be legal at certain times and under certain conditions. Learn the local regulations before you burn anything. Yard debris can also be composted and used in home gardens. For more information on open burning laws, visit: www.scdhec.gov/environment/baq/openburning.aspx
Good Earth-Keeping 1000
- Save time and fuel by organizing errands into one driving trip.
- What is trip-chaining?
- When you start your car after it's been sitting for more than an hour, it pollutes up to five times more than when the engine is warm. Combining errands into one sensible trip is more effective and reduces vehicle emissions. The result is more time in your life, less traffic congestion and less air pollution. Make a list and plan your route. For more information on trip-chaining and other tips for drivers, visit:
- Resources such as coal and oil will run out someday. Resources that won’t run out are called this.
- What are renewable resources?
- Most of the energy supply in the United States is generated by burning fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas and oil. These forms of non-renewable energy produce greenhouse gases and other pollutants. Sources of renewable energy, or “green” power, include wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, landfill gas and hydro power. For more information on renewable energy, visit: www.epa.gov/energy/renwenergy.html
Alternative Energy 400
- This source of renewable energy comes from the sun.
- What is solar energy?
- Solar energy is considered environmentally friendly because the sun is a natural energy source that does not require the burning of fossil fuels to provide heat or electricity. In addition, it is also considered renewable since the energy produced from the sun does not deplete any natural resources and will never run out. For more information on solar energy, visit: www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/
Alternative Energy 600
- The fuel E-85 contains ethanol, which can be made from these crops.
- What are corn and soybeans?
- Ethanol is a renewable fuel made from plants. Essentially non-drinkable grain alcohol, ethanol is produced by fermenting plant sugars. It can be made from corn, soybeans, sugar cane and other starchy agricultural products. Vehicles must be specially designed to run on E-85. E-10, a blend of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline, is available in many areas across the United States and can be used in any gasoline vehicle manufactured after 1980. Using E-85 reduces greenhouse gas emissions. A similar fuel is biodiesel, made from vegetable oils. For more information on ethanol and biodiesel, visit:
Alternative Energy 800
- This gas is created when garbage decomposes in landfills. It can be captured and used for energy.
- What is methane?
- Landfill gas is the natural by-product of the decomposition of solid waste in landfills and is comprised primarily of carbon dioxide and methane. Instead of allowing methane to escape into the air, it can be captured, converted and used as an energy source. For more information on landfill methane, visit: www.epa.gov/lmop/index.htm
- When neighbors don’t scoop, this type of waste can add large amounts of bacteria to nearby water.
- What is pet waste?
- Pet waste is one source of the bacteria found in many of our nation’s water-bodies. While most bacteria are not harmful, some kinds can make people sick. Pet waste is a type of runoff pollutant that can be harmful.
- To learn more about pet waste as a pollutant, visit: www.cleanwatercampaign.com/html/639.htm
- To learn more about runoff pollution, visit: www.epa.gov/owow/nps/whatis.html
Fit to Drink 400
- More than 50 percent of South Carolina residents rely on this source for drinking water.
- What is groundwater?
- In South Carolina, forty percent (40%) of the population uses groundwater for drinking. Even though this water source is underground, it is still possible for groundwater to become polluted. Used motor oil, pesticides and other toxic materials, if spilled on the surface, could go down into the groundwater. To learn more about groundwater, visit: groundwater.org/
Fit to Drink 600
- (Video) To measure water turbidity, or clarity, you lower this into the water and look down at it.
- What is a Secchi disk?
- When surface waters are not clear, it is because there are particles and sediments in the water. The particles can be pollutants or excess levels of algae. Using a Secchi disk to check water clarity is easy and doesn’t cost much. To learn more about secchi disks, visit: dipin.kent.edu/secchi.htm
Fit to Drink 800
- Found in fertilizers and cleaning products, this element is both essential and a pollutant.
- What is phosphorous?or phosphates?
- Phosphorus is an element that is found in nature. But when too much phosphorus gets into bodies of water it can be a problem - too many algae grow which can make the water murky and keep light from plants that grow under the water. When the algae die and decompose, oxygen is used up, which means there is less oxygen for other things living in the water.
- To learn more about phosphorus as a runoff pollutant, visit: www.sepa.org.uk/pdf/publications/leaflets/lochs/savealoch.pdf
- To learn more about nutrients in runoff pollution, visit: www.epa.gov/weatherchannel/
Fit to Drink 1000
- Because storm drains empty directly into rivers and streams, you should never pour these liquids into them.
- What are paint and motor oil?
- You should never pour anything into a storm drain. Any water or liquids that run into a storm drain does not go to a treatment plant, but empties directly into rivers and streams.
- To learn more about storm drains, visit: www.epa.gov/owow/nps/toolbox/other/KSMO_StormdrainStewardship.pdf
- For an activity booklet (K-5th grade) about storm drains and runoff pollution, visit: www.scdhec.gov/administration/library/ML-019014.pdf
- To learn more about hazardous household waste, visit: earth911.org/blog/2007/07/23/what-makes-things-hazardous/