Measuring indoor PM 2.5 pollutants using a particulate sensor
Mitigating pollutions starts by measuring pollutant levels
I could barely see ½ a mile away. Crawling through the dense traffic on a modern highway in Mumbai, I was struck both by the brand of cars on the roads and the pollution caused by them. I suddenly became very concerned. My long line of questioning led me to conclude that we need an innovative solution that both abates air pollution, and cleans up our air.
https://www.specksensor.com/
The experiment
Since 2016, I have spent time researching and conducting experiments on how plants, especially plants that absorb carbon dioxide more effectively and can abate air pollution. An important step in my experimentation is being able to detect air pollution levels. I have staged my experimentation and research to start with indoor human activity and its impact on air pollution. Next, I plan to expand my study to outdoor air pollution.
This year for my school science symposium, I measured the impact of indoor human activity on particulate matter using an air sensor. I originally wanted to design and engineer a sensor, but quickly realized that this was a complex task for which I don't yet have the knowledge and skills. Instead, I used the CMS Speck air sensor for my experiment.
Just like scientists and engineers have to raise funds for their projects, I chose to raise funds to procure the sensor for my experiment. The air sensor that measures PM 2.5 measures the amount of PM 2.5 particles in the immediate vicinity. It allowed me to detect the levels of pollution caused by indoor human activity and make recommendations of alternatives to common indoor activities.
Why this experiment mattered
An air pollutant is known as a substance in the air that can cause harm to humans and the environment. Pollutants can be in the form of solid particles, liquid droplets, or gases. In addition, they may be natural or man-made.
Major primary pollutants produced by human activity include:
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) especially nitrogen dioxide are emitted from high temperature combustion that can be seen as the brown haze dome above or plume downwind of cities. NO2 is one of the most prominent air pollutants.
Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, non-irritating but very poisonous gas. It is a product by incomplete combustion of fuel such as natural gas, coal or wood. Vehicular exhaust is a major source of carbon monoxide.
Carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas emitted from combustion (cars).
Particulate matter Particulates, alternatively referred to as particulate matter (PM) or fine particles, are tiny particles of solid or liquid suspended in a gas. Human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels in vehicles, power plants and various industrial processes also generate significant amounts of aerosols. Increased levels of fine particles in the air are linked to health hazards such as heart disease, altered lung function and lung cancer.
All of the following things/activities produce PM 2.5:
Gas and Oil Heating
Forced-Air Heating & Air Conditioning
Fireplaces
Furniture
Wood-burning stoves
Cooking
Vacuuming and dusting
Second-hand smoke
Incense and candles
Smoke, especially after extinguishing, is a trade-off for using these items.
Grills and barbecues
Home renovations
Showers, humidifiers, and boiling water
Health impact of PM2.5 Particulate Matter
Particles in the PM2.5 size range are able to travel deeply into the respiratory system, reaching the lungs. Exposure to fine particles can cause short-term health effects such as eye, nose, throat and lung irritation, coughing, sneezing, runny nose and shortness of breath. Exposure to fine particles can also affect lung function and worsen medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease. Scientific studies have linked increases in daily PM2.5 exposure with increased respiratory and cardiovascular complications and deaths.
Sources:
Photo credit: www.blueandgreentomorrow.com