Air quality of Burlington

GIV Air QualityBy the AIRVENGERS

1IntroductionResearch Question and HypothesisWe monitored PM 2.5 in Burlington and UnderhillPM 2.5 is particulate matter which have a diameter of 2.5 microns or less. Particulate matter is particles in the air, commonly attached to water which contribute to haze and pollution. PM 2.5 is very small and when breathed in it can get into the lungs, causing inflammation. Research question: How do PM 2.5 levels compare from downtown Burlington, to North Beach, to Underhill, to the industrial sites we visited, to Centennial Woods?Hypothesis: PM 2.5 levels will be the highest in Burlington, high at industrial places, and North Beach, and lower in Centennial Woods and lowest in Underhill. 2Where Does PM 2.5 Come From? Sources of PM 2.5 include diesel trucks, uncontrolled fires/smoke, smokers, BBQs, wood stoves and humidity/haze. On Tuesday we noticed a lot of haze. With further research, we found that this was due to smoke coming from wildfires in Canada and the western U.S.

3PM 2.5 Standards and Common Emission Sources

4Health EffectsHaving lots of particulate matter in the air can not only cause haze and decrease visibility but it can have other effects, especially on human health. It can worsen heart and lung disease, increase the amount of nonfatal heart attacks, aggravate asthma, and increase coughing and difficulty breathing. 5Why we did itAir quality is a huge issue throughout the world. Though much has been done, there is lots we need to still do. 6MethodsData CollectionWalked and/or drove to these different locations to measure PM 2.5 with an optical sensor.Scattered light is measured by optics and a photo detector in the monitor. The intensity of the light is used to determine the amount of particulate matter in the air.Used a GPS and field notebook to mark our route and location.7How We Monitored PM2.5 We monitored the air quality in different parts of Burlington and Underhill. We did this by measuring the PM 2.5 in the air, using the Sidepak Personal Aerosol Monitor. The monitor was in a backpack as we walked around Burlington and Underhill. Air was sampled through a tube.

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9ResultsDowntown Burlington, June 24th

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Our first point, in front of the dorms, our third point at the designated smoking area, our fourth point on Pearl Street.

11ResultsUnderhill, June 25th We went to the Proctor Maple Research Center and the Air Monitor Station in Underhill.

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More from the Air Monitoring Station.13Centennial WoodsWe went to Centennial Woods to test how the PM 2.5 levels are in the woods near a city.

Centennial Woods

Heading into Centennial Woods for the second time to collect data. We crossed swamps, rivers, lakes, oceans and battled through waves and waves of mosquitoes and other dangerous man-eating wild life. 14Results, Thursday June 2754 Minutes

15J C McNeil

We visited J. C. McNeil Generating Station. It provided electricity for the Burlington area by burning wood. It is the top contributor of PM 2.5 in Chittenden County. 22 MinutesPM 2.5 at J. C. McNeil16CSWD MRF, June 26

We visited the CSWD MRF, Chittenden Solid Waste District Material Recovery Facility. This is where all the recycling goes to be sorted. 17Main Burlington Sewage Treatment Plant, June 26

We visited the Sewage Treatment Plant which is located on Lake Champlain. 6 MinutesPM 2.5 Levels, Sewage Treatment Plant18North Beach, June 26

We also visited North Beach. While there, we noticed many people had fires going. 9 MinutesPM 2.5 Levels, North Beach19Comprehensive Averaged DataPlaceAverage (ug/m3)DateDowntown42.3 Monday, June 24Underhill48.7 Tuesday, June 25Bus ride from Underhill46.2 Tuesday, June 25McNeil Wood-fired Power Plant38.5 Wednesday, June 26MRF14.9 Wednesday, June 26Bus ride to Water Treatment Plant18.2 Wednesday, June 26Burlington Sewage Treatment Plant19.2 Wednesday, June 26North Beach101.6 Wednesday, June 26Centennial Woods32.5 Thursday, June 27Walk to dorms32.9 Thursday, June 27Comparative PM 2.520PM 2.5 (24-hour average) DataDayBurlingtonBurlingtonUnderhillUnderhillAverageSTDEVAverageSTDEVJune 24 201315.64.213.64.1June 25 201313.33.712.26.1June 26 201311.84.54.53.4June 27 2013154.94.92PM 2.5, Burlington and Underhill

21Air Trajectories and Smoke, June 24th

22Air Trajectories and Smoke, June 25th

23SEM InformationSEM stands for, Scanning Electron Microscope. On Thursday the 27th we got to use a SEM. They function by sending electron beams down at the sample. Those beams knock electrons, and even atoms off the sample, which are then measured. The information collected is used to form images.

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