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Air Particles and Air Quality

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Abstract

What does the phrase, "Like a breath of fresh air," mean to you? This common phrase can have different meanings: calming, relaxing, invigorating, energizing or CLEAN! After all, you never hear anyone say, "Like a breath of dirty air," do you? Find out how clean the air is in this simple experiment.

Summary

Areas of Science
Environmental Science
Difficulty
 
Time Required
Average (6-10 days)
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.
Credits

Sara Agee, Ph.D., Science Buddies

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.

Agencies measure the amount of polluting particles (also called particulate matter ) in the air. Polluting particles can be solid particles or liquid droplets, they can be big or small, and colored or colorless. Some are large and dark enough to be seen with the naked eye or a magnifying lens. Are these polluting the air where you live? What about near a construction site, or in an industrial area or the park around the corner? You can do a simple experiment with Vaseline to find out the answers to these questions.

Note this project looks at pollutants visible with the naked eye or a magnifying lens. It does not pick up all polluting particles.

Terms and Concepts

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

Bibliography

Here are some helpful websites:

Materials and Equipment

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, your school, an industrial zone, a construction site, a park 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. At which sites did you pick up the most particulate matter of the kind that is visible with the naked eye or a magnifying glass? Is this what you expected? Were each of your three counts the same or different? What do you think this tells you about the amount of this type of polluting particles in the air at each location?
  22. Do you think your data allows you to make global conclusions about the overall air quality of the sites you tested? Why or why not? Information in the Introduction can help you answer this question.
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Global Connections

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) are a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.
This project explores topics key to Good Health and Well-Being: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

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?
  • Study how particulate air pollution changes with distance from the source or how wind direction affects the amount of dust collected at equidistant locations to the north, east, south and west of the source.
  • Measures can be taken to reduce particulate pollution. One of these is used at demolition sites, where they water down the site while doing the dust causing activity. Can you study how effective these measures are? Maybe you can set up a test area where you can perform a dust creating activity with and without the preventive measures.

Careers

If you like this project, you might enjoy exploring these related careers:

Environmental Compliance Inspector
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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. Read more
Industrial Health & Safety Engineer
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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… Read more
Environmental Scientist
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Have you ever noticed that for people with asthma it can sometimes be especially hard to breathe in the middle of a busy city? One reason for this is the exhaust from vehicles. Cars, buses, and motorcycles add pollution to our air, which affects our health. But can pollution impact more than our health? Cutting down trees, or deforestation, can contribute to erosion, which carries off valuable topsoil. But can erosion alter more than the condition of the soil? How does an oil spill harm fish… Read more
Occupational Health & Safety Specialist
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Many people work in environments that have obvious potential dangers, like collapses in mines, chemicals in laboratories, or machinery in factories, but there can be hazards in almost any job, like repetitive stress injuries from constant computer use or from scanning groceries. Occupational health and safety specialists identify potential hazards in a job, and then figure out ways to reduce the risks of accidents or injuries to workers or to the public. They also investigate accidents when… Read more

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General citation information is provided here. Be sure to check the formatting, including capitalization, for the method you are using and update your citation, as needed.

MLA Style

Science Buddies Staff. "Air Particles and Air Quality." Science Buddies, 20 Nov. 2020, https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/EnvSci_p009/environmental-science/air-particles-and-air-quality?fave=no&isb=c2lkOjEsaWE6RW52U2NpLHA6MSxyaWQ6NDI3MzIzNA&from=TSW. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.

APA Style

Science Buddies Staff. (2020, November 20). Air Particles and Air Quality. Retrieved from https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/EnvSci_p009/environmental-science/air-particles-and-air-quality?fave=no&isb=c2lkOjEsaWE6RW52U2NpLHA6MSxyaWQ6NDI3MzIzNA&from=TSW


Last edit date: 2020-11-20

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