Lab 6aAir quality and pollution
Objective:To know and understand the most common air pollutants and to become aware of how each of us are exposed to air pollution.
There are many kinds of air pollutants. The air quality index is most often calculated for five major air pollutants, which are regulated: ground–level ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Particulate matter and ozone are two pollutants found almost anywhere.
1a. Lookup (https://aqicn.org/map/world/) the values for today for the following five cities: Los Angeles, USA, Santiago, Chile, London, UK, Dheli, India, and Bejing, China. What are the main pollutants, where do they come from or how do they form, and what impact do they have on human health (20)
1b. Look up(http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/bcairquality/readings/find–stations–map–ALL.html)PM2.5, NOx and CO for our location (either KPU–S or KPU–R). How high are the values for today? (3)
1c. Look up(http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/bcairquality/readings/find–stations–map–ALL.html)the air quality health index (AQHI) for our location (either KPU–S or KPU–R). How is it for today? (3)
2. Airborne particulates are among the unhealthiest components of air pollution to humans. Very small particulates can lodge deep inside lung tissue where they can stay throughout the life of a person. The sources of particulates can be natural as well as anthropogenic. Airborne dust, pollen, soil, or particles from the smoke and exhaust of automobiles, factories, and power plants all contribute to the total amount of particulates in the air.
Measure the particulate concentration inside and outside your home. To do so, trace the outline of a loonie onto a piece of cardboard to create your sample area. Smear a thin layer of petroleum jelly or butter on the sample area. You will have two samples, one from inside and one from outside your home. Ideally put them about 1.5 meters above the ground or floor. The one outside should be sheltered as much as possible from rain. When you handle your samples, make sure that you do not touch the sample area. Put them up once you get home today, and bring them along for the next lab. Write down when you put them up and when you took them down; it needs to be at least 24 hours. When transporting them to school, put them in a container that protects the sample surface.
2a. Once in lab, use a magnifying class and count the number of particles found on the sample area. A particle (dust, pollen, etc.) is any speck on the sample area. Record the number of particles from each sample. Provide some information on your sample
locations (e.g., how many people live in the house, are there pets, is it a busy road, …). (10)
2b. Which location trapped more particulate matter?(1)
2c. How do you explain this?(3)
2d. Did the results surprise you, and why? (2)
