Midland, MI - June 10, 2005

In line with Dow's commitment to hands-on education and corporate social responsibility, the Fort Saskatchewan site recently contributed $50,000 to the Fort Air Partnership (FAP) to help spread air quality awareness throughout the region. In partnership with FAP, Alberta Environment and the Elk Island and Sturgeon School Boards, Dow's contribution is funding the creation of air quality teacher resource kits for use at the junior high level.

"The Air Quality kits will soon reach every junior high classroom within the FAP airshed," said Robert Lacroix, Fort Saskatchewan site leader. "This program will help students further their understanding of the impact we all have on air quality, encourage them to lead by example and promote solid daily practices to their family and friends."

In 2004, FAP identified an opportunity to engage teens on the topic of air quality. Called Air – Our Invisible Connection, this unique educational project will integrate air quality learning components in Alberta Education's junior high curriculum and the activities of various stakeholders in the local community. Through lesson plans, a website, a video and posters, students will learn how they can actively contribute to improved air quality and the roles that industry, the community and government plays in managing air quality. The project will be field tested in November 2005 and officially presented in February 2006.

According to Dow's Public Perception Surveys, air quality has been the number one environmental issue in the Fort Saskatchewan area for many years. Today's environmentally-conscious community wants to keep informed about the cumulative effects of various emissions on air quality and how it affects their well-being. The kits will help further community understanding of air quality and how everyone has a role to play in making a difference.

The Fort Air Partnership manages an airshed monitoring network in the Fort Saskatchewan, Strathcona and Sturgeon County areas and provides the public with timely and reliable air quality information via its website at www.fortair.org.

For Editorial Information:

Shannon Gregg
Dow Chemical Canada Inc.
(780) 998-8445