CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Study
Air pollution occurs when the air contains gases, dust, fumes or odor in harmful
amounts (EPA Victoria, 2006). In an article published in 2010, Ned Haluzan states that
breathing polluted air is somewhat similar to smoking, and harmful particles of air
pollution can, (just like cigarettes), create conditions to develop heart and lung diseases
that could eventually prove fatal. The people who already suffer from asthma, allergies,
and diseases resulting in breathing problems are usually the worst affected. There is also
the danger of mixing up the moisture from the pollutants in the air. The combination of
these two can create other serious environmental problems such as acid rain which not
only kills trees and plants but can also lead to ground water pollution. The air pollution
can also become significant contributing factor to water and soil pollution, resulting in a
massive multidimensional pollution of a certain ecosystem.
Air pollution can be prevented in numerous ways, like reducing the use of fossil
fuels, therefore using alternative sources of energy, for example solar energy,
hydroelectric energy, and wind energy (Sandhyarani, 2010). Minimizing the use of fossil
fuels can also reduce air pollution.
People need to have knowledge about the air quality of a certain location/area so
that one would know whether the area/location is safe or not. One method of determining
air quality is by the use of petrolatum. Petrolatum or commonly known as petroleum jelly
is a greasy jelly-like substance consisting of a mixture of semi-solid hydrocarbons
obtained from petroleum; it is used as a base for ointments in leather dressing, etc.
(“Petrolatum”; Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary, 2006). Petrolatum is
hydrophobic (water-repelling) and insoluble in water. (“Petroleum Jelly”; Wikipedia,
2011). Moisture in the air or even a small amount of water will not affect the petrolatum
for it is hydrophobic. Petroleum Jelly has also a translucent appearance, therefore
particulates that will be stick to it can be easily be determined. The concept of this
prototype is similar to that of a fly trap; it would trap and collect flies so that we can
calculate how many flies were there base on the data collected. Therefore petrolatum may
be useful in determining the air quality.
The researchers in this study aim to design, fabricate, and evaluate the
performance
of
a
portable
Air
Quality
Indicator
Prototype
(AQIP)
using
Apollo® Petroleum Jelly, to know whether if it is effective in determining the air quality.
B. Statement of the Problem
This research aims to design, fabricate, and evaluate the performance of a portable Air
Quality Indicator Prototype (AQIP).
It seeks to answer the following questions:
1. Is AQIP an effective determiner of air quality?
2. Is AQIP a reliable determiner of air quality?
C. Objective of the Study
This research aims to design, fabricate, and evaluate the performance of a
portable Air Quality Indicator Prototype (AQIP) with the use of petrolatum.
D. Hypothesis
1. The Air Quality Indicator Prototype (AQIP) is not an effective indicator of
air quality.
2. The Air Quality Indicator Prototype (AQIP) is not a reliable indicator of
air quality.
E. Significance of the Study
This study aims to contribute to the determination and prevention of air pollution
outdoors, as well as contribute a portable and cheaper way to determine the air quality of
a certain location/area. This will also help us to have an idea in controlling pollution. This
prototype can be also used in small-time industrial and commercial structures. This will
also help other researchers by providing them idea that it is possible to develop an Air
Quality Indicator Prototype by using petrolatum.
F. Scope and Limitations of the Study
The researchers limit the use of Apollo® Petroleum Jelly, one of the many
petroleum jelly products available in our area. This study focuses on the designing and
fabricating a portable Air Quality Indicator Prototype (AQIP) that makes use of
petrolatum. The performance of the Air Quality Indicator Prototype (AQIP) will be
evaluated and recorded. Testing of the air will be held in public places where most people
usually pass or go, like in the classrooms, comfort rooms, and parks. The study will be
conducted inside the residences of the researchers and in public places in the city of
Iligan City, Philippines during the academic year of 2011-2012.
G. Definition of Terms
Air Quality Indicator Prototype (AQIP)
a preliminary model of a device that
could determine the quality of air
quality in terms of fine particles,
with the use of petroleum jelly
Petrolatum
a yellowish or whitish, translucent,
gelatinous,
amorphous
oily,
mass
semisolid,
obtained
from
petroleum: commonly used as a
lubricant, rust prevention, ointment
base, protective dressing, emollient,
etc. (“Petrolatum”; Dictionary.com,
2011) and used as a ??? in our study
Air Quality
a measurement of the pollutants in
the air; a description of healthiness
and safety of the atmosphere (“Air
Quality”; Dictionary.com, 2011)