How Industrial Processes Contribute to Emissions — Reading Comprehension

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This NGSS-aligned science reading passage for grades 6-8 explores how industrial processes contribute to emissions. Students learn about key concepts such as pollution, greenhouse gases, fossil fuels, and how factories and power plants release substances into the air. The passage defines important vocabulary terms in bold, provides real-world examples, and ends with an interesting science fact. It is designed for easy comprehension, uses clear language, and includes a glossary, Spanish translation, and audio integration for accessibility. The included multiple-choice quiz and writing activities test reading comprehension, understanding of cause and effect, and the ability to connect science to everyday life. This resource supports middle school science standards and is perfect for classroom, homework, or self-study use.

CONTENT PREVIEW

Smoke emitting from a factory stack in Elkford, BC, illustrating air pollution.
Source: Pexels - Braeson Holland

Industrial processes are activities that happen in factories, power plants, and other large facilities to create products or generate energy. These processes often use machines and chemicals to make things like steel, plastic, or electricity. While industrial processes help us in many ways, they can also cause problems for the environment by releasing emissions into the air.

Emissions are substances, such as gases and tiny particles, that are released into the air during industrial activities. These can include carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter. Many emissions are created when burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas to make energy. Factories and power plants use these fuels to operate machines, heat buildings, and produce electricity.

Some emissions, like carbon dioxide and methane, are called greenhouse gases. These gases trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere and contribute to climate change. Other emissions, like sulfur dioxide and particulate matter, can cause air pollution. Air pollution can harm people’s health, causing problems like asthma, and can also damage plants and animals.

Real-world examples of industrial emissions include the smoke you see coming from factory chimneys or power plants. For example, a steel factory melts iron ore using coal, which releases carbon dioxide and other pollutants as smoke. Another example is a power plant that burns coal to generate electricity, sending large amounts of greenhouse gases and pollutants into the air.

Industries are working to reduce emissions by using cleaner energy sources, like wind and solar power, and by developing new technologies to capture and store harmful gases before they reach the atmosphere. Governments also create rules and standards to limit the amount of emissions factories can produce. These efforts help protect the environment and improve air quality for everyone.

Interesting Fact: The cement industry is one of the largest sources of carbon dioxide emissions in the world, producing about 8% of all global CO₂ emissions.

What are emissions?

Gases or particles released into airMachines in factoriesClean energy sourcesTypes of metals

Which gas is a greenhouse gas?

Carbon dioxideOxygenNitrogenHelium

What do power plants often burn?

Fossil fuelsWaterWood onlyPlastic

Why are greenhouse gases a problem?

They trap heat, causing climate changeThey make metals strongerThey clean the airThey help plants grow

How can industries reduce emissions?

Use cleaner energy sourcesBurn more coalRelease more smokeMake more steel

What is an example of air pollution?

Smoke from factoriesClean rainWind powerFresh snow