Brylee Lutman

Measuring Particulate Air Pollution

Particulate air pollution is the term for a mixture of solid particles and liquid
droplets found in the air. The EPA categorizes particulate matter as PM10
(inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 10 micrometers and smaller)
and PM2.5 (fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5
micrometers and smaller). The health effects of each category of particulate matter
vary on the sized particles. The smaller they are, the more likely the particles will
get into the lungs and bloodstream. These particles, in general, can affect both the
lungs and heart. Conditions caused from particulate matter includes premature
death in people with heart or lung disease, nonfatal heart attacks, irregular
heartbeats, aggravated asthma, decreased lung function, and an increase in
respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing or difficulty
breathing. Also, children, older adults, and those with preexisting heart or lung
disease are the most likely to be affected by this exposure. Environmental damages
of particulate matter depend on the chemical composition. These particles can be
carried by the wind and settle on/in the ground and water. The result of this can
lead to: making lakes and streams acidic, changing the nutrient balance in coastal
waters and large river basins, depleting the nutrients in soil, damaging sensitive
forests and farm crops, affecting the diversity of ecosystems, and
contributing to acid rain effects.
I expect to find the highest particulate matter in the bathroom and the
lowest in the family room. This is because my family uses various sprays and
products in the bathroom: bathroom sprays, hair protectants, hair spray, baby
powder, and more. I think there will be lowest in the family room because our
windows and doors are always opening and closing, so we get the most fresh air in
that room. The materials used for this experiment are: slides with double sided tape
in petri dishes labeled
accordingly
and a microscope.
 Particulate Matter Lab
16
14
12
10
8
6
Averge Particulate Matter 4
2
0

Location

The data shows that the bathroom, by far, contains the highest amount of
particulate matter (14.3 particulates being the average). The bathroom has the
highest particulates because of how many products are sprayed and used,
especially in that small area. Also, every person in my house goes in the bathroom
at least twice a day, increasing the amount of potentially harmful particulates (more
people equal more products higher pollution). The lowest was the basement (.6
particulates being the average). This is probably because the basement is the least
used room in the house. Because fewer people are in that area and for a less
amount of time, fewer activities are done to pollute the air. The garage (2.3) and the
basement were most similar in particulate air matter. This could be because they
are used around the same amount of times throughout the day, and are not used
for very long. The closet (5.3) is the most different, but probably the most
realistic/average room when it comes to particulate air matter. It is between the
lowest and the highest average particulate air matters. Also, the closet is used
every day and multiple times, but only for short amounts of time.
My original hypothesis was that the bathroom would have the highest
particulate matter and the family room would have the lowest. I was correct about
the bathroom for the same reason as I had suspected: the products. The family
room was inconclusive because one of my group members failed to remove the
sealant strip off the tape.
 The Clean Air Act regulates the levels of particulate matter in the air. This
United States federal law is designed to control air pollution on a national level. It is
one of the United States' first and most influential modern environmental laws, and
one of the most comprehensive air quality laws in the world. The air pollution has
drastically improved since the 1970 law was enacted.