How to Measure Indoor Air Pollution

One important subject children learn about in their elementary school science classes is environmental science, particularly about air pollution. When we think of air pollution, we think of the exhaust from a car, or smokestacks from large factories. Children may not even realize that air pollution also occurs indoors. Cigarette smoke is one example of this. Children can perform a science experiment and test the amount of air pollution in their homes or other indoor buildings.

White poster board
Scissors
Hole puncher
String
Black marker
Double-sided tape
Magnifying glass

Instructions

- 1
  Choose four indoor locations to test for air pollution. You may choose four different rooms in your home, such as the basement, attic, kitchen and living room. You could also choose four different houses or office buildings, including a room in your school.
- 2
  Cut your piece of white poster board in half. Then cut each of those halves in half. Now you have four equally sized pieces of white poster board.
- 3
  Punch a hole out of the top center of each section of poster board.
- 4
  Thread a piece of string through each hole. Tie the string to create a loop for hanging.
- 5
  Label the top of each piece of poster board with your black marker. Each piece must say the location where you plan on placing it. This will keep you organized so that you can compare your results later.
- 6
  Cover the rest of the sections of poster board with strips of double-sided tape.
- 7
  Hang your poster pieces in their designated locations. Wait one week before retrieving them.
- 8
  Examine each piece of poster board under a magnifying glass. Count how many particles are on the tape. Compare your results to see which rooms had more air pollution.

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