School Campus Air Quality Study: Analyzing Particulate Matter in Different Areas

Project Summary

A team of students conducted air quality research across three campus locations (football field, quad, and flower beds), finding highest particulate matter pollution at the football field due to construction dust, athletic activities, and environmental factors. They proposed solutions including replacing dirt tracks with rubber surfaces and implementing sustainable practices.

Detailed Story

For the Climate Initiative Project, the team researched air quality and particulate matter pollution across three campus locations. The football field showed the highest pollution levels, primarily due to construction dust being moved by wind, dirt from the track being disturbed by sports teams, and sweat particles from athletes. The flower beds had moderate pollution levels, with data potentially affected by pollen, dust, and nearby garbage cans. The quad showed the lowest pollution, attributed to fewer trees, more open space, and lower foot traffic during data collection. The team collected data over two separate days, which may have influenced pollution measurements. As solutions, they proposed replacing the dirt track with rubber surfaces, converting grass to sod, placing flower beds in greenhouses to reduce pollen, and improving waste management. Despite ongoing construction limiting some intervention options, the students emphasized the importance of reducing emissions, limiting smoke production, and switching to energy-efficient technologies to improve local air quality over time.

Impact Statement

Students identified pollution sources on campus, measured particulate matter levels across different locations, and developed practical solutions to improve local air quality, while gaining hands-on experience with environmental research and data collection methods.