The pesticide DDT was used to kill insects. There are many other types of pollution in the air. Air pollution can come from cars, factories, and airplanes. The following experiment will help you determine how much air pollution is around your house. Materials:
3x5 Index Cards
Vaseline
Tape (double-sided is best but not necessary)
Large Paper Plates
Rocks or Weights
Butter Knife.
Procedure:
1. Choose different areas around your house to test the amount of air pollution. Sites can be indoors or outdoors, although you will get better results outdoors. Try to vary the sites. You might want to put one near a street but make sure you get permission from an adult first.
2. Tape a 3x5 index card to the center of a large paper plate. You will want as many index cards as you have testing sites.
3. Using the butter knife, spread a thin layer of Vaseline on the top of the index card. Cover the entire top of the card but not the plate. Make sure you ask an adult to help you if you are not allowed to use knives. You can use your finger to spread the Vaseline instead of the butter knife.
4. Take the plates with the index cards to your testing sites and put rocks or weights on the edge of the plate to hold it down. Do not place rocks or weights on the index cards.
5. Wait for at least one full day (two or three days is best as long as it does not rain) and then collect your index cards. Make sure you label the cards so you know what site each one came from.
Analysis/Results:
Many particles that make up air pollution will fall to the card and stick to the Vaseline. The cards that look the dirtiest or the darkest are the ones with the most pollution stuck to them. Compare the cards to see which sites had the most or least pollution. Why do you think those sites were different from the others? Share your results with your friends and family. We also love to hear your results, so you can email us and let us know what you found out!
