Bio-monitoring of ozone by young students.

EMISSION standards; AIR quality; OZONE; GREEN movement; TOXICOLOGY

ITALY; UNITED Kingdom

An educational pilot project on the bio-monitoring of air quality was carried out in the Umbria Region of Central Italy. It involved about 1000 young students (ages 4 to 16) from 42 schools of 16 municipalities in active biomonitoring of tropospheric ozone with bio-indicator sensitive tobacco seedlings. Some 6500 raw biological readings were used and these were reinforced by data captured with two photometric analysers. Under guidance from teachers, the students had several opportunities to practise basic and applied study techniques; and they were introduced to the scientific method in a simple and absorbing manner. Though primarily an educational exercise, the survey had a research element and the picture of air pollution that emerged has increased the knowledge of the air quality situation in the region. Biological monitoring of air quality is a powerful tool to improve awareness and involvement in key topics of environmental education. In addition, it promotes the active participation of citizens in the assessment of the state of the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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