What is Air?
Air is all around us!
Even though we can’t see it, air is always there.
Air is a mix of gases that covers the Earth.
What is Air Made Of?
Air is made up of several gases:
Nitrogen (78%) – this is the most common gas in air.
Oxygen (21%) – this is the gas we breathe in to stay alive.
Carbon dioxide (0.04%) – plants use it to make food.
Other gases – like argon and water vapor.
Fun Fact:
Even though oxygen is very important to us, it makes up only about one fifth of the air.
Why Do We Need Air?
Air is very important for all living things.
Let’s see how:
For Humans:
We breathe in oxygen from the air.
Our lungs use oxygen to give us energy.
We breathe out carbon dioxide.
For Animals:
Like humans, animals also need oxygen to live.
They breathe air through lungs, gills, or skin.
For Plants:
Plants take in carbon dioxide from the air.
They use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to make their food – this is called photosynthesis.
In return, plants give us oxygen!
Example:
When you go to a garden, the air feels fresh because there are many trees giving out oxygen.
What is Wind?
Wind is moving air.
When air moves from one place to another, we feel it as wind.
A gentle wind feels cool and nice.
A strong wind can move trees or even cause storms.
Example:
On a hot day, when a breeze blows, you feel cooler.
That’s the wind helping you!
What is Air Pollution?
Air pollution happens when dirty things mix with the air and make it harmful.
What Makes Air Dirty?
Here are some things that pollute the air:
Smoke from factories
Fumes from cars, bikes, and trucks
Burning garbage or dry leaves
Dust from construction or dry places
Firecrackers during celebrations
Example:
When too many vehicles are on the road, the air looks foggy or smoky.
That’s air pollution.
What is Air Quality?
Air quality tells us how clean or dirty the air is.
Good Air Quality = Clean air = Safe to breathe.
Bad Air Quality = Polluted air = Can harm our health.
There’s something called the AQI – Air Quality Index.
It is a number used to show how good or bad the air is.
AQI Value Air Quality What it Means
0–50 Good Clean and fresh air
51–100 Moderate Okay, but not perfect
101–150 Unhealthy for kids Not great for children and old people
151–200 Unhealthy Can affect breathing
201–300 Very Unhealthy Stay indoors!
Example:
If your parents say, “Let’s not go to the park today.
The AQI is bad,” it means the air is too dirty to breathe safely.
How Does Bad Air Affect Us?
Polluted air is dangerous for our health.
It can:
Make it hard to breathe
Cause coughing or sneezing
Give us headaches
Make our eyes burn or water
Cause diseases like asthma or lung problems
Who gets affected the most?
Children
Older people
People with breathing issues
Example:
If someone feels breathless or coughs a lot during Diwali or near traffic, it may be because of bad air.
Why is Good Air Important for the Earth?
Good air is not only important for humans but also for:
Plants:
Need carbon dioxide from the air to grow.
Clean air helps them grow better.
Animals:
Breathe the same air we do.
Pollution harms them too.
Weather and Climate:
Dirty air affects the weather.
Too much pollution can lead to global warming.
Example:
If the air keeps getting dirty, the Earth becomes hotter.
This can melt ice at the poles and harm animals like polar bears.
How Can We Keep the Air Clean?
We all can do simple things to help keep the air fresh and clean!
Plant More Trees:
Trees are like air cleaners!
They take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen.
Ride a Bicycle:
Bicycles don’t make smoke like cars or bikes.
Riding a bicycle is also great exercise!
Use Public Transport:
Fewer cars on the road means less smoke.
Don’t Burn Trash:
Never burn garbage or leaves.
It releases harmful gases.
Use Fewer Firecrackers:
Firecrackers cause a lot of smoke and pollution.
Enjoy festivals in eco-friendly ways.
Reuse and Recycle:
Less waste = Less pollution.
Example:
In some schools, kids plant a tree on their birthday instead of cutting a cake.
That’s a gift to nature!
What Can Governments and Cities Do?
Big changes need help from people in power too.
Build more parks and green spaces
Set rules for factories and vehicles
Use clean energy like solar or wind power
Encourage people to use electric vehicles
Monitor AQI and warn people when it’s bad
Example:
Some cities stop trucks and big vehicles from entering during peak pollution days.
That helps the air stay cleaner.
