Pollution and Human Health
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by: Khan Academy|Published on: April 27, 2021
VideosScientist Reviewed
9101112AP
Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This video from Khan Academy connects human health to pollution by discussing one person's experience with asthma and the case study of asbestos causing mesothelioma.
- The video emphasizes that it is difficult to study the health effects of pollution because everyone experiences different kinds and levels of pollutants in their environment and it may take many years for symptoms to develop.
- The video touches on air, water, and soil pollution, but air pollution is the main focus and specific air pollutants are identified and discussed.
Subjects: Biology, Earth and Space Sciences, Health
Authors: Khan Academy
Region: Global
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The video provides examples of how pollution affects human health that students will be able to relate to.
- The content can be applied to AP Environmental Science courses, with the standards listed under the video.
Prerequisites
- There are interactive practice questions that accompany the video, but to record scores to your digital classroom, you must sign in.
- The video discusses cancer and other serious health issues that may be sensitive topics for some students.
Differentiation & Implementation
- This could be used in a health class to connect climate change and pollution with human health issues, specifically asthma and cancer.
- Students could use this video as inspiration to further research pollution in their community and the possible health effects of that pollution.
- Cross-curricular connections can be made to a government course by further discussing the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act that are mentioned at the end of the video.
- This video would pair well with the video Reduction of Air Pollutants, also by Khan Academy.
- To incorporate this video into a social studies class, consider these other resources related to air pollution and health, such as this video about asthma in the Bronx and this video that connects air pollution and COVID-19 outcomes.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
