Collaborators
Gabriella Muinde
Brianna Edmonds
Tori Holmberg
J.R Cusher
Abstract
Air pollution has been an ongoing problem in the United States for many years. There has been an increase on the amount of this that are used to increase air pollution. The purpose of this lab was to test the quality of the air inside and outside of Heritage High School and see how they compare to each other. We prepared ozone monitoring test strips and particulate matter collectors that were place all around the school for all of the groups. My group placed one of each inside of the library and the others were outside of the school hanging from a bush. The materials were left in these places for one day and the next day they were retrieved and the data was collected. The control ozone monitoring test strips and control particulate matter collector was left inside of the class room over night.
Problem
How does the indoor air quality of Heritage High School compare to the outdoor air quality?
Hypothesis
I predict that the air quality of Heritage High School is going to be very congested on the inside compared to the quality outside. I feel this way because there are so many people inside of the hallways all day long.
Parts of the Experiment
Independent Variable - Location where air pollution was tested ( Heritage Library and Outside Behind school)
Dependant Variable- Air Quality
Control Group- Ozone monitoring strip and particulate matter collectors that we left in class
Materials
- Potassium Iodide
-Corn Starch
-Beakers
-Spatulas
-Large Graduated Cylinder
-Test Tube Rack
-Filter Paper
-Microscope Slides
-Petroleum Jelly
-Q-Tips
-Microscopes
Methods
1. Half the class should work on preparing the ozone monitoring test strips by placing 100ml of water in a 250 ml beaker, and adding 5g of cornstarch. Then heat and stir the mixture until it gels (when the mixture becomes thick and clear). Remove the solution from heat, add 1 g of potassium iodide, stir well, and allow to cool. After the solution has cooled, lay a piece of filter paper on a petri and brush the paste onto the filter paper. Turn the filter paper and brush the paste on the other side. Hang up and allow the filter paper to dry. Cut the papers into 1 inch-wide strips. Store the strips in a plastic bag out of sunlight.
2. The other half of the class will prepare Particulate matter collectors by smearing a thin layer of petroleum jelly onto a microscope slides. Try to make the layer as even as possible. Use a q-tip to lightly smear the specimen side of each slide. You will need to prepare 2 slides per group and place them in a slide container to avoid smearing the petroleum jelly on anyone.
3. Each group will place one labeled slide on the exterior of the school. Some groups should choose areas that would receive few particulates, others should choose locations that produce more particulates. (Keep in mind sources of particulate matter).
4. One member of each group should take the second slide and place it in a location inside of the school.
5. You should then place your ozone monitoring strip outside for 8hrs. Before placing the strip outside, dip the strip in distilled water, then attach the strip out of sunlight. When placing your strip find the relative humidity for that day.
6. The next day, each group should collect their slide and ozone monitoring strip.
7. Dunk each strip into distilled water. Use the chart provided to determine the Schoenbein Number of your strip.
8. Use the relative humidity and the Schoenbein number to calculate the concentration of ground level ozone using the chart below.
9. Look at your particulate matter slide under the microscope. First decide the amount of particulates and then attempt to estimate the source of PM. Your group will need to decide how you can classify what type of PM was collected.
10. Make sure you record all your lab information into your notebook.
Data
Gabriella Muinde
Brianna Edmonds
Tori Holmberg
J.R Cusher
Abstract
Air pollution has been an ongoing problem in the United States for many years. There has been an increase on the amount of this that are used to increase air pollution. The purpose of this lab was to test the quality of the air inside and outside of Heritage High School and see how they compare to each other. We prepared ozone monitoring test strips and particulate matter collectors that were place all around the school for all of the groups. My group placed one of each inside of the library and the others were outside of the school hanging from a bush. The materials were left in these places for one day and the next day they were retrieved and the data was collected. The control ozone monitoring test strips and control particulate matter collector was left inside of the class room over night.
Problem
How does the indoor air quality of Heritage High School compare to the outdoor air quality?
Hypothesis
I predict that the air quality of Heritage High School is going to be very congested on the inside compared to the quality outside. I feel this way because there are so many people inside of the hallways all day long.
Parts of the Experiment
Independent Variable - Location where air pollution was tested ( Heritage Library and Outside Behind school)
Dependant Variable- Air Quality
Control Group- Ozone monitoring strip and particulate matter collectors that we left in class
Materials
- Potassium Iodide
-Corn Starch
-Beakers
-Spatulas
-Large Graduated Cylinder
-Test Tube Rack
-Filter Paper
-Microscope Slides
-Petroleum Jelly
-Q-Tips
-Microscopes
Methods
1. Half the class should work on preparing the ozone monitoring test strips by placing 100ml of water in a 250 ml beaker, and adding 5g of cornstarch. Then heat and stir the mixture until it gels (when the mixture becomes thick and clear). Remove the solution from heat, add 1 g of potassium iodide, stir well, and allow to cool. After the solution has cooled, lay a piece of filter paper on a petri and brush the paste onto the filter paper. Turn the filter paper and brush the paste on the other side. Hang up and allow the filter paper to dry. Cut the papers into 1 inch-wide strips. Store the strips in a plastic bag out of sunlight.
2. The other half of the class will prepare Particulate matter collectors by smearing a thin layer of petroleum jelly onto a microscope slides. Try to make the layer as even as possible. Use a q-tip to lightly smear the specimen side of each slide. You will need to prepare 2 slides per group and place them in a slide container to avoid smearing the petroleum jelly on anyone.
3. Each group will place one labeled slide on the exterior of the school. Some groups should choose areas that would receive few particulates, others should choose locations that produce more particulates. (Keep in mind sources of particulate matter).
4. One member of each group should take the second slide and place it in a location inside of the school.
5. You should then place your ozone monitoring strip outside for 8hrs. Before placing the strip outside, dip the strip in distilled water, then attach the strip out of sunlight. When placing your strip find the relative humidity for that day.
6. The next day, each group should collect their slide and ozone monitoring strip.
7. Dunk each strip into distilled water. Use the chart provided to determine the Schoenbein Number of your strip.
8. Use the relative humidity and the Schoenbein number to calculate the concentration of ground level ozone using the chart below.
9. Look at your particulate matter slide under the microscope. First decide the amount of particulates and then attempt to estimate the source of PM. Your group will need to decide how you can classify what type of PM was collected.
10. Make sure you record all your lab information into your notebook.
Data
Data Chart
Ozone
Group Location Result
Control Classroom -- covered 0 ppb
1 & 2 Outside: Bus lot on tree
Inside: Cafeteria
160 ppb
150 ppb
3 & 4 Outside: lower patio
Inside: library
160 ppb
No data
5 Outside: carpool lot
Inside: library
160 ppb
150 ppb
6 Outside: carpool lot
Inside: Gym hallway
160 ppb
No data
7 Outside: bus lot
Inside: library
No data
150 ppb
8 Outside: lower patio
Inside: stairwell
150 ppb
130 ppb
Particulate Matter
Group Location Result
Control Classroom – covered none
1 & 2 Outside: Bus lot on tree
Inside: Cafeteria
Heavy
Light
3 & 4 Outside: lower patio
Inside: library
Medium
Light
5 Outside: carpool lot
Inside: library
Medium
Light
6 Outside: carpool lot
Inside: Gym hallway
Medium
Light
7 Outside: bus lot
Inside: library
No data
Light
8 Outside: lower patio
Inside: stairwell
Medium
Light
Data collected 9/9/13-9/10/13
Weather: clear and warm
Temperature: 90-70 F
Humidity 50%
Analysis and Conclusion ( Lab Questions)
1. Based on all of the information that was collected Wake Forest did not meet the standards on the day that the data was collected. The average ground level ozone that was collected from that day was about 160 ppb. This meant there there was a high level of things being used that contributed to the amount of ozone that was in the air. The things that create ground level ozone are volatile organic compounds, sunlight, heat and oxides of nitrogen. On the day that our data was collected there was a high amount of sunlight and heat in the air. Those are also the two components that would have affected the ozone levels and made it so high.
2. Based on the graph that was provided the 13% of the United States that are not meeting the Clean Air Act are all well developed states. This means that they have a high release of motor vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, gasoline vapors and chemical solvents because of the amount of people that reside at these states. These are all things that have a very big effect on the ground level ozone. Due to the fact that some much is used in these states it causes for their ozone level to be higher them those that do not use as much of those harmful materials.
3. Particulate matter did not become a part of the Clean Air Act until 1990's because that is when it stated becoming more of problem. Before then the use of these things was not a problem but, as the years began to pass the use of cars, buses, factories and trucks have become greater. More and more people are relaying on cars, trucks and buses for their everyday life. With that being said everyday the rate of particulate matter is becoming greater and greater which is why it needed to be added to the clean air act.
4. When the data was collected the outdoor ended up having a higher PM then the inside. This was not expected because when making my hypothesis I have thought that the inside would be higher then the outside. After reviewing everything that was learned I believe that the ending result was more accurate then my hypothesis. This is true because outside is where all of the true particles are being emitted directly into the air from the various sources such as cars, trucks and more.
5. Air pollution needs to be monitored because it is getting completely out of control. Based on the data that was collected in this experiment we can see that Wake Forest is not meeting the proper requirements of the clean air act. The higher that these rates start to get the more harmful the air will become for humans in the society. So by monitoring it there can be a better understanding on what needs to be done to control the air quality and keep the economy healthy for humans.
General Analysis and Conclusions
When first starting this lab I very much thought that my hypothesis was going to be correct. I thought so because of the amount of people that are in the hallways everyday that it would have a great affect on the amount of pollution that was in the air indoors. But based on the data that was collected I was wrong. Although the air pollution was bad on the inside and the outside the outside air pollution was still higher then the air pollution inside of the school. Just as said in the article the vehicles are now accounting for a big percent of pollution in the air. Not only that but wood, plant matter and dust are also big factors that were included in this article. The county of wake forest may not be as bad as India but if we continue on with the way that we are going we will not be far from them. The outdoor air quality is becoming greater and greater everyday. The burning fuels, uses of cars and emissions from factories is becoming greater . India is now starting to take big steps in trying to figure out what can be done to help the air quality in the air. I believe that things need to be done now in the economy to stop us from being where India is today. Once people become more away of the effects that air quality can have on the economy they will start to be more aware and figure out what they can also do to help.
Citations
- Article linked to the Button Text
Ozone
Group Location Result
Control Classroom -- covered 0 ppb
1 & 2 Outside: Bus lot on tree
Inside: Cafeteria
160 ppb
150 ppb
3 & 4 Outside: lower patio
Inside: library
160 ppb
No data
5 Outside: carpool lot
Inside: library
160 ppb
150 ppb
6 Outside: carpool lot
Inside: Gym hallway
160 ppb
No data
7 Outside: bus lot
Inside: library
No data
150 ppb
8 Outside: lower patio
Inside: stairwell
150 ppb
130 ppb
Particulate Matter
Group Location Result
Control Classroom – covered none
1 & 2 Outside: Bus lot on tree
Inside: Cafeteria
Heavy
Light
3 & 4 Outside: lower patio
Inside: library
Medium
Light
5 Outside: carpool lot
Inside: library
Medium
Light
6 Outside: carpool lot
Inside: Gym hallway
Medium
Light
7 Outside: bus lot
Inside: library
No data
Light
8 Outside: lower patio
Inside: stairwell
Medium
Light
Data collected 9/9/13-9/10/13
Weather: clear and warm
Temperature: 90-70 F
Humidity 50%
Analysis and Conclusion ( Lab Questions)
1. Based on all of the information that was collected Wake Forest did not meet the standards on the day that the data was collected. The average ground level ozone that was collected from that day was about 160 ppb. This meant there there was a high level of things being used that contributed to the amount of ozone that was in the air. The things that create ground level ozone are volatile organic compounds, sunlight, heat and oxides of nitrogen. On the day that our data was collected there was a high amount of sunlight and heat in the air. Those are also the two components that would have affected the ozone levels and made it so high.
2. Based on the graph that was provided the 13% of the United States that are not meeting the Clean Air Act are all well developed states. This means that they have a high release of motor vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, gasoline vapors and chemical solvents because of the amount of people that reside at these states. These are all things that have a very big effect on the ground level ozone. Due to the fact that some much is used in these states it causes for their ozone level to be higher them those that do not use as much of those harmful materials.
3. Particulate matter did not become a part of the Clean Air Act until 1990's because that is when it stated becoming more of problem. Before then the use of these things was not a problem but, as the years began to pass the use of cars, buses, factories and trucks have become greater. More and more people are relaying on cars, trucks and buses for their everyday life. With that being said everyday the rate of particulate matter is becoming greater and greater which is why it needed to be added to the clean air act.
4. When the data was collected the outdoor ended up having a higher PM then the inside. This was not expected because when making my hypothesis I have thought that the inside would be higher then the outside. After reviewing everything that was learned I believe that the ending result was more accurate then my hypothesis. This is true because outside is where all of the true particles are being emitted directly into the air from the various sources such as cars, trucks and more.
5. Air pollution needs to be monitored because it is getting completely out of control. Based on the data that was collected in this experiment we can see that Wake Forest is not meeting the proper requirements of the clean air act. The higher that these rates start to get the more harmful the air will become for humans in the society. So by monitoring it there can be a better understanding on what needs to be done to control the air quality and keep the economy healthy for humans.
General Analysis and Conclusions
When first starting this lab I very much thought that my hypothesis was going to be correct. I thought so because of the amount of people that are in the hallways everyday that it would have a great affect on the amount of pollution that was in the air indoors. But based on the data that was collected I was wrong. Although the air pollution was bad on the inside and the outside the outside air pollution was still higher then the air pollution inside of the school. Just as said in the article the vehicles are now accounting for a big percent of pollution in the air. Not only that but wood, plant matter and dust are also big factors that were included in this article. The county of wake forest may not be as bad as India but if we continue on with the way that we are going we will not be far from them. The outdoor air quality is becoming greater and greater everyday. The burning fuels, uses of cars and emissions from factories is becoming greater . India is now starting to take big steps in trying to figure out what can be done to help the air quality in the air. I believe that things need to be done now in the economy to stop us from being where India is today. Once people become more away of the effects that air quality can have on the economy they will start to be more aware and figure out what they can also do to help.
Citations
- Article linked to the Button Text