The Effects of Paraffin Candles & Beeswax Candles on Air Quality By Armen Keuylian and Thomas Carloss Methods: To keep PM 2.5 readings as accurate as possible, one controlled variable was the room used. A small 6’x5’ bathroom was used, that was closed when testing. This allowed for no air flow in or out, and the small volume allowed for more obvious variance in PM 2.5 readings. The independent variable of this experiment was the candle type used: at first, a paraffin candle was lit, then blown out about an hour later; after this, a beeswax candle was lit and burned for the remainder of the experiment. The DustTrak was used to monitor fluctuations in the amounts of PM 2.5 throughout the test. The amount of fine particulate matter is the dependent variable. Conclusion: In conclusion, the data collected supports the original hypothesis; not only is less PM 2.5 present when the beeswax candle is lit, but it is brought to a lower level than when the experiment first began. Point (1) on the graphed data (paraffin candle lit) shows a value of 0.173 PM 2.5, which slowly drops to 0.107 PM 2.5 over the course of less than an hour; both of which are well over the EPA limit of 0.035. Once the paraffin candle is extinguished (point (2)), the particulate matter count spikes to 0.452, due to smoke. At point (3), when the beeswax candle is lit, and particulate matter does not go up as expected (as the smoke should not be able to leave the room, the count should not have gotten much lower), but it starts to drop rapidly. Within a little more than an hour, the air quality is below the EPA limit, reaching 0.020 at one point. This shows that not only did the candle not negatively affect the air, but it enhanced the quality. After further research, some sources (credibility is unsure) claim beeswax candles release “negative ions” into the air, which can remove particulate from the air. Research Question: How does the burning of paraffin candles affect the amount of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) in a small space? How do beeswax candles affect the amount of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) in a small space? Background Information: Reason for interest in this project began when we started to wonder if candles had a negative impact on our health, specifically regarding particulate matter. Particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM 2.5) can be referred to as “fine” particulate matter. Sources of PM 2.5 are mainly combustion activities, such as motor vehicles, wood burning, and power plants, which create tiny particles or droplets. One of these 2.5 micrometer particles is about 30x smaller than the diameter of a human hair. The EPA (Environment Protection Agency) limit for PM 2.5 is 35 micrograms per cubic meter of air. Amounts above this cause concerns for health, such as being lodged deep in the lungs. This is particularly concerning for indoor air quality, since according to the EPA, Americans spend around 90% of their life indoors. Results: Improvements: If more testing were to be done, a longer time span would be beneficial. Not only this, but better control of the testing conditions and more accurate tests would prove the validity of these results. (3)Beeswax candle lit (1)Paraffin candle lit Hypothesis: PM 2.5 levels will be higher when a paraffin candle burns than when a beeswax candle burns. References: "How to Naturally Clean Indoor Air | Wellness Mama." Wellness Mama. N.p., . . 27 Nov. 2013. Web. 22 May 2016. "Frequent Questions." US Environmental Protection Agency. United States Environmental Protection Agency, 23 Feb. 2016. Web. 22 May 2016. "Department of Health." Fine Particles (PM 2.5) Questions and Answers. New York State, n.d. Web. 22 May 2016. "Brain Post: How Much Time Does the Average American Spend Outdoors?" SnowBrains.com. Snow Brains, 05 June 2014. Web. 22 May 2016. (2)Paraffin candle extinguished Test Started: 2/2/16 19:34 Test Ended: 2/2/16 22:56 Min. Vaue: 0.020 Max Value: 0.452 Avg. Value: 0.107 The data shows that from point (1) to point (2), PM 2.5 was well above the EPA limit. By point (3), the amount of PM 2.5 spikes severely. Following point (3), the amount of PM 2.5 drops significantly, lower than any prior time in the experiment, and lower than the EPA limit.