LUNG DISEASE: WHERE YOU LIVE MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Background: Ground-level ozone and suspended particulate matter are two of the most common air pollutants. They are also causes of health problems, especially respiratory illnesses such as asthma. One of the primary sources of ground-level ozone is vehicles. Particulate matter comes from the combustion of organic matter, including wood, fossil fuels, and tobacco.
Case: You are a parent of two children, both of whom have asthma. You are also the primary caregiver for your aging grandmother, who suffers from chronic lung disease. You and your spouse have both been offered jobs in Phoenix, Arizona, and Hamilton, Ontario. The jobs in each location are equivalent, you have family in both locations, and both locations offer the benefits of large cities. Your decision has come down to which city would be the healthiest for your children and grandmother.
Prepare a PowerPoint presentation about each city for your family. In it, include the following:
Pictures of each city
Typical weather for each month of the year, including average ambient air temperature, rainfall, and average number of sunny days
Geography of the area, including altitude, nearby mountain ranges, and bodies of water
Population of each city
Average number of days with air pollution warnings
Typical industries, especially those that would contribute to air pollution
Any natural sources of air pollution
Average incidence of asthma or other lung problems in each city
At the end of your presentation, recommend one of the cities to your family, using the evidence you gathered to support your recommendation. Provide the sources you used so that your family can evaluate the thoroughness and reliability of your research.