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)