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Project Summary

Difficulty	1
Time required	Average (about one week)
Prerequisites	None
Material Availability	Readily available
Cost	Very Low (under $20)
Safety	Use caution and have parents with you at test sites with automobile traffic nearby.

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Abstract

Objective

In this experiment you will test the quality of air by measuring the number of air particles from different locations.

Introduction

The air we breathe has a lot do do with our health. As we breathe in fresh air, our lungs absorb oxygen from the air and pass it into our blood stream so it can be transported throughout our bodies. Oxygen is important for our whole body to have the energy it needs to survive.

It is important for all of us to have clean air to breath. People living in industrial areas are more likely to develop asthma. People who smoke are more likely to suffer from lung disease. You may have seen an example of the lungs from a smoker which are small, black and unhealthy looking. Years and years of breathing particles of tar and smoke can cause the lung tissue to develop cancer, and can even cause death.

Breathing clean air is important for keeping your lungs nice and healthy. Tiny particles of dust and soot in the air can enter your lungs when you breathe, and can block the movement of oxygen. Harmful particles can come from pollutants in the air like dust, smog, soot, smoke, and other chemicals. Because of the importance of clean air to our health, most cities keep track of air pollution by issuing smog warnings on days when there is a high level of air pollution.

How clean is the air where you live? What about around your school, where you play at the park, or where your parents go to work? Is the air at a park cleaner than air near a busy intersection? You can do a simple experiment with Vaseline to find out the answers to these questions.

Terms, Concepts and Questions to Start Background Research

To do this project, you should do research that enables you to understand the following terms and concepts:

• air quality
• smog
• particles
• lungs
• asthma

Bibliography

Here are some helpful websites:

• PBS, 2003. "PBS Now, Science and Health: Deadly Smog," Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). [accessed 3/3/2006] http://www.pbs.org/now/science/smog.html.
• EPA, 2006. "U.S. Environmental Protection Agency," U.S. EPA. [accessed: 3/3/2006] http://www.epa.gov/.
• ALA, 2004. "Defending the Clean Air Act: State of the Air 2004," American Lung Association. [accessed: 3/3/2006] http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=50353.

Materials and Equipment

• Vaseline
• string
• black permanent marker
• milk carton
• hole punch
• magnifying lens
• digital camera

Experimental Procedure

1. Save a milk carton to use for your experiment. Clean and dry the carton thoroughly before use.
2. Cut the carton into four flat pieces by cutting along the side seams of the carton. Cut each side into 3 square pieces, each piece will be approximately 3 inches long and 3 inches wide. You will have a total of 12 squares when you are done.
3. Using the hole punch, punch a hole in one corner of each square.
4. Tie a piece of string through the hole to make a loop for hanging the square up, on a tree branch for example.
5. Make a data sheet to record where you place your squares, and what data you later will collect from them:

   Location:
   Square 1
   Square 2
   Square 3
   TOTAL
   Average

6. Decide on your four locations. Good locations are: your back yard, a busy street corner, your school, a park, a shopping center, a parking lot, etc.
7. Write the name of each location in your data table. Include the cross streets (Cedar and Sacramento Street), the address (1234 Maple Street) or the name of the location (Tilden Park or Valley Mall) in your table.
8. Using your black permanent marker, draw a 1 inch by 1 inch box in the center of the white side (what used to be the inside of the carton) of each square.
9. Write the name of the location on the bottom of each square, you will use three squares for each location.
10. At each location, find a place to hang up three of your collection squares. You can hang the squares from a tree branch, sign post, light post, or any other safe landmark. If the location is busy with traffic, be sure to have an adult with you for safety.
11. Before you hang each square up, spread a thin layer of vaseline in the black box in the center of each square with your finger. Hang up the collection square.
12. Leave your collection squares for 3–5 days. It is best to leave them on days when there is no rain, so if you hear it is going to rain be sure to go and collect them even if you have not left them out for a full five days.
13. After you have waited, it is time to collect your data from the squares.
14. Revisit each location bringing your data table, magnifying glass and a digital camera.
15. Remove the squares one at a time. Each time, use your magnifying glass to count the number of visible particles you see stuck in the Vaseline inside the boxed area. Write the number in your data table.
16. Take a picture of the square. If your camera has a micro-setting for close ups, the pictures will turn out better.
17. Proceed to the next square and/or location until you have collected all of your data and filled out your data table.
18. For each location you will have collected three sets of data, so you will want to average the data to get a better result. First add together the three counts and write the answer in the "TOTAL" box. Then divide this number by 3 and write the answer in the "Average" box.
19. Now you are ready to make a graph of your data. Make a bar graph by writing a scale for the number of particles on the left side (y-axis) and then by drawing a bar up to the correct number of particles for each location. Remember to label each bar of your graph, or make a color key.
20. Print out your photos for your poster too.
21. Which sites had the most particulate matter in the air? Is this what you expected? Were each of your three counts the same or different? What do you think this tells you about the relative air quality at each location?

Variations

• Try testing the air quality at the same location over a course of several weeks, replacing the collection squares every few days. How does the air quality change over time? Compare your data with the air quality forecast in your local newspaper; how well do they match up?
• A rainy day can be very cleansing for the air. Compare air samples before and after a rainy day; are there less particles? Where do you suppose those particles go? What does this have to do with acid rain?

• For more science project ideas in this area of science, see Environmental Science Project Ideas.

Credits

Sara Agee, Ph.D., Science Buddies

Last edit date: 2006-04-20 00:43:33

Career Focus

If you like this project, you might enjoy exploring careers in Environmental Science.

	Natural Sciences Manager Some of the biggest questions in science—like how to cure cancers or how to control global warming—require large teams of scientists to answer. Natural sciences managers work to coordinate and direct the research of these teams to ensure collaboration among the scientists and effective use of equipment and resources.			Environmental Compliance Inspector Our environment on planet Earth is made up of the air, water, and land. Environmental compliance inspectors work to protect and preserve our environment and the public by making sure communities, individuals, businesses, and state and local governments are in compliance with pollution laws and regulations.
	Soil and Water Conservationist Soil and water are two of Earth's most important natural resources. Earth would not be able to sustain life without nutritive soil to grow food and clean water to drink. Soil and water conservationists foster the science and art of natural resource conservation. The scientists work to discover, develop, implement, and constantly improve ways to use land that sustains its productive capacity, and enhances the environment at the same time. Soil and water conservationists are involved in improving conservation policy by bringing science and professional judgment to bear in shaping local, state, and federal policy.			Park Ranger Park rangers are the law enforcement officials of our state and national parks. They protect and preserve parklands, keeping park resources safe from people who might try to damage them, deliberately or through neglect, and keeping people safe from dangers within the park. To achieve this goal, park rangers work in a wide variety of positions, including education and interpretation for park visitors, emergency dispatch, firefighting, maintenance, law enforcement, search and rescue, and administration. There is a large global shortage of park rangers in developing countries.
	Industrial Safety and Health Engineer Think of all the jobs in the world that involve machinery, chemicals, toxins, radiation, loud noise, or travel to places above or below Earth’s surface—all of these jobs carry an element of risk to the workers. Industrial health and safety engineers work to minimize this risk. They inspect work sites and help workers and companies understand and comply with safety laws. They use their knowledge of mechanical processes, chemistry, and human psychology and performance to anticipate hazardous conditions. Protecting workers requires excellent communication skills and a strong sense of responsibility.

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