1. CHALK? DATA: Interfering Variables: RESEARCH QUESTION: METHODS:
By Annie Robertson and Hayden Brandt
Mr. Spangler
WHS
RESEARCH QUESTION:
What is the effect of the different applications of chalk on overall air quality in a contained environment?
METHODS:
In order to test our hypothesis, we placed the air quality tracker in the Rockfish climbing gym on a shelf that sits in the middle of the room. We allowed the tracker to run for approximately two hours as a baseline on April 6th, 2018, counting and recording the number of chalk bags (loose vs ball) in 15-minute intervals. We also counted the number of people to account for a changing variable during the experiment. Our controlled variable was a measure of the air quality at Rockfish when no chalk bags were present. That measurement was taken on a separate day when no people were in the facility. The reading was measured at an average of um. Then, I took pictures to analyze where some of the climbers were during the period of time involving data collection. The independent variable was the changing numbers of loose chalk bags and, interchangeably, ball chalk bags. The dependent variable was the affected air quality in the gym. Controlled variables consisted of keeping the DustTrak in the same place, the climbing gym itself, and the day of experimentation. We found that generally, when the ratio between loose chalk and balled was leaning toward a higher amount of loose, the air quality worsened and increased in PM 2.5. Overall, however, the results and different ratios didn’t seem to have an extravagant affect on the levels. Chalk in any form had an effect on the air quality.
HYPOTHESIS: If loose chalk is used instead of balls, then the PM 2.5 rating will be significantly higher because loose chalk emits more particles whereas balls refine chalk to prevent spilling and excess loss of chalk. Chalk balls are made of a fine material that filters large particles and allows for an even distribution on hand application. The loose chalk, however, usually ends up in clumps that, when rubbed onto hands, release an excess amount of chalk into the air.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
What is the reason for your interest in this area?
25 million people are climbing regularly, which means training in gyms. Air quality is an important factor when it comes to athletics, and the climbing gym can have many implementations on the atmosphere of the facility. The gym has a rule that prohibits the use of loose chalk. However, many people still use this form of chalk, and we are curious to whether this can impact the air quality.
What is meant by PM 2.5?
PM 2.5 is a measure of air pollutant that is analyzed through the level of particles that are 2.5 um in diameter and smaller.
What is the air that causes PM 2.5? What are the sources of PM 2.5?
PM 2.5 is affected by components of organic compounds, nitrates, sulfates, elemental carbon, and water. Construction projects, vehicle exhaust, the heating of oil or coal, wildfires, and power plants.
Describe the size of a PM 2.5 particle. Compare it to something in our world.
The size of a PM 2.5 particle is small, ranging from a maximum of 2.5 um in diameter or less. A single human hair is 60 um in diameter.
What is the EPA limit for PM 2.5?
The EPA limit for PM 2.5 is 12 micrograms per cubic meter. The 24-hour fine particle standard is 35 micrograms per cubic meter.
What percent of time do we spend indoors?
Americans generally spend about 90% of time indoors. Indoor air circulates less and is therefore more likely to have a higher PM 2.5 compared to outside. Cleaning products, wood stoves, cooking, candles, and tobacco smoke are just some of the particles that can affect air quality.
RESULTs:
On average, our PM 2.5 measurement was mg/m^3.
Our maximum measurement was mg/m^3.
Our minimum was a measurement of mg/m^3.
The experiment ran from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Ratio - Loose chalk: Ball chalk
Yellow: Stronger ball chalk ratio
Green: Stronger loose chalk ratio
Blue: Equal ratio
DATA:
2:5
2:2
2:2
5:3
4:3
3:2
3:5
IMPROVEMENTS:
We should have accounted for the number of people in the gym - possibly tried to eliminate that variable from interfering with the results of the experiment,
Recorded more events that could have affected the data.
Extending periods of data collection time.
Placing the DustTrak somewhere where people cannot interfere close by, applying chalk that will interfere. .
PM 2.5 Levels
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the air quality in a climbing gym tends to worsen as the ratio of loose chalk grows stronger over ball chalk. On average, there were more spikes when there was more loose chalk present compared to ball chalk. We also observed the average PM measurement was higher when there was a higher ratio of loose chalk over ball chalk.. We believe that because the loose chalk does not have a barrier between the chalk and the air, it has a much more likely chance of affecting air quality than ball chalk does. Our data was obscure and moderately inaccurate due to the times when climbers would approach the tracker and apply chalk, causing drastic spikes in the time table. Our overall data indicated that chalk has the potential to heighten PM measurements and cause risk to heath issues from particles in the air. Even though loose chalk generally had a greater impact on the air quality, ball chalk still contributed to particles in the air. Our hypothesis was supported by our data in that loose chalk had a higher effect on air quality than ball chalk. In order to help improve the air quality of gyms and athletic faculties, air ventilation systems should be installed to help filter the air. When working out, air quality is important to sustaining a healthy anaerobic lifestyle. Overall, air quality is effected by the use of chalk, both ball and loose, but moreso when loose chalk is used.
Interfering Variables:
We also kept track of the number of people in the gym in case it affected the air quality. Overall, the fluctuation of climbers in and out of the gym had no noticeable effect on the data. However, there could have been minor influences based on the number of people in the gym
6: : :30 - 8
6: : :45 - 9
6: : :
EPA Limit
RESOURCES:
Buechter, Roland Brian, and Dennis Fechtelpeter. “Chalk and Climbing.” Advances in Pediatrics., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2011,
Hannigan, Michael. “Dust Exposure in Indoor Gyms.” Indoor Air Journal - International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate, ISIAQ, 2015,
Kuklinski, Andrew. “Too Much Chalk.” Climbing House, 18 Dec. 2017,