Factors influencing indoor air quality concerning particulate matter in high school classrooms
Location
Science Center: Bent Corridor
Document Type
Poster
Start Date
4-26-2024 12:00 PM
End Date
4-26-2024 2:00 PM
Abstract
On average, people spend 90 percent of their time indoors where they are exposed to a variety of particulate matter, including that of 10 micrometers or smaller (PM10), which is able to permeate the lungs. Because of this, monitoring indoor air quality (IAQ) is extremely important when it comes to health, productivity, and students’ ability to learn. In this experiment, I investigated the effect of a variety of factors on particulate matter circulating in classrooms, with a specific focus on flooring type, in my high school in Madison, Wisconsin. The goal of this work was to evaluate whether the new carpeted classrooms were aiding or hindering indoor air quality. To explore this question, I placed a portable air quality monitor within two classrooms (one carpet, one tile flooring) in my high school and monitored PM10 concentrations across the months of September to December 2022. Data was collected once per minute, and the monitor recorded for 24 hours a day. Data was uploaded to Excel for further analysis. In my study I focused on how the concentration of PM10 was affected by different factors such as flooring type, time of day, occupancy, temperature, and relative humidity. Preliminary results suggest PM10 is highest at times of class change regardless of other factors, and that PM10 is more likely to quickly settle in carpeted rooms. This work helps to inform future research into PM10 in classrooms, including importance of flooring type, occupancy, and monitoring frequency to capture quick changes in PM10 concentrations.
Keywords:
Indoor air quality, Particulate matter
Recommended Citation
Mason, Hannah, "Factors influencing indoor air quality concerning particulate matter in high school classrooms" (2024). Research Symposium. 7.
https://digitalcommons.oberlin.edu/researchsymp/2024/posters/7
Major
Chemistry
Project Mentor(s)
Rachel Hems, Chemistry and Biochemistry
2024
Factors influencing indoor air quality concerning particulate matter in high school classrooms
Science Center: Bent Corridor
On average, people spend 90 percent of their time indoors where they are exposed to a variety of particulate matter, including that of 10 micrometers or smaller (PM10), which is able to permeate the lungs. Because of this, monitoring indoor air quality (IAQ) is extremely important when it comes to health, productivity, and students’ ability to learn. In this experiment, I investigated the effect of a variety of factors on particulate matter circulating in classrooms, with a specific focus on flooring type, in my high school in Madison, Wisconsin. The goal of this work was to evaluate whether the new carpeted classrooms were aiding or hindering indoor air quality. To explore this question, I placed a portable air quality monitor within two classrooms (one carpet, one tile flooring) in my high school and monitored PM10 concentrations across the months of September to December 2022. Data was collected once per minute, and the monitor recorded for 24 hours a day. Data was uploaded to Excel for further analysis. In my study I focused on how the concentration of PM10 was affected by different factors such as flooring type, time of day, occupancy, temperature, and relative humidity. Preliminary results suggest PM10 is highest at times of class change regardless of other factors, and that PM10 is more likely to quickly settle in carpeted rooms. This work helps to inform future research into PM10 in classrooms, including importance of flooring type, occupancy, and monitoring frequency to capture quick changes in PM10 concentrations.
