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š¬ Think about it
Would you rather play in a clean, green park or one full of garbage and mosquitoes? Our surroundings affect our health just like our food does. Dirty air and water can make us sick. Why does a clean environment matter so much? Let's find out.
Why should we keep our surroundings clean?
A clean playground
A dirty playground
Clean, well-maintained and beautiful.
Polluted, dirty and unhygienic.
No flies or mosquitos.
Full of flies and mosquitos.
People living nearby stay well.
People living nearby fall sick more often.
- A clean place keeps away flies, mosquitoes, and germs.
- People in dirty, polluted areas fall sick more often.
- So clean surroundings help us stay healthy.
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Activity 3.3 — Let us compare
How do we compare the two playgrounds?
Look at the first playground
Clean, well-maintained and beautiful
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Look at the second playground
Polluted, dirty, unhygienic, full of flies and mosquitos
↓
Ask which one you would play in
And say why
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People living near the dirty playground fall sick more often — a clean environment keeps us well
In this Activity, we will compare two playgrounds and see what a clean environment does for health.
What to compare
Look at two playgrounds. One is clean, well-maintained, and beautiful. The other is polluted, dirty, and full of flies and mosquitoes.
Observation
Most of us would choose the clean playground. People living near the dirty one may fall sick more often.
Explanation
Clean air and water are important for health. In cities, air pollution from vehicles and factories can cause coughing or asthma. The Air Quality Index (AQI) tells us how clean the air is.
People living near a dirty, fly-ridden playground fall sick more often; a clean environment keeps us well.
ā Summary
- Clean places keep germs away
- Dirty air and water cause illness
- AQI shows how clean the air is
Is health only about the body?
The body
The mind and our relationships
Eating well and living in a clean place.
Spending time with friends and family.
Exercise, sleep and hygiene.
Talking, laughing and having fun.
Not enough on its own.
We may still feel unwell if we are lonely or upset.
- No. Our feelings and relationships matter too.
- Even with good food and a clean home, loneliness hurts us.
- Time with friends and family keeps our minds healthy.
Important Points
- Clean air, water, and surroundings protect our health.
- Air pollution can cause coughing and asthma.
- Good relationships keep our minds healthy too.
ā
Test Yourself
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Why do people in dirty areas fall sick more often?
View Answer
Dirty places have more flies, mosquitoes, and germs. -
What does AQI stand for?
View Answer
Air Quality Index. -
Name one problem caused by air pollution.
View Answer
Coughing or asthma. -
Can a person with good food still feel unwell?
View Answer
Yes, if they are lonely or upset. -
What keeps our minds healthy?
View Answer
Spending time with friends and family.
Important Definitions
- Air Quality Index (AQI) — A number that tells us how clean or polluted the air is.
- Pollution — Harmful substances in the air, water, or surroundings that can make us sick.
