REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHEASTERN PHILIPPINES

A.Y. 2021-2022

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

NAT SCI 1/L CE

CHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS

GROUP 3: MEASURING PARTICULATE MATTERS

Consolidated Written Report

SUBMITTED BY

MALLARI, JORDAN B.
MANGUBAT, CIANINE DIANE T.
MATIVO, DARYL
MERENCILLO, MONIQUE
NAVARRO, KATE ROXANNE C.

SUBMITTED TO

MS. KATHLEEN CADEÑO

 EXPERIMENT IN CHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Consolidated Written Report ..................................................................................................... 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................... 2

INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 3

Team Assignments and Documentation .................................................................................... 4

Background of the Study ........................................................................................................... 5

Measuring Particulate Matter ..................................................................................................... 7

EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP 1 ................................................................................................... 8

Results for Set-up 1 .................................................................................................................... 9

EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP 2 ................................................................................................. 13

Results for Set-up 2 .................................................................................................................. 14

Comparison .............................................................................................................................. 18

How can the model be improved? ........................................................................................... 18

Significance to the Problem of Air Pollution........................................................................... 19

References ................................................................................................................................ 20

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INTRODUCTION

This written report is a consolidated output from five first year engineering students

from the University of Southeastern Philippines. This paper focuses on the concept of

measuring particulate matters particularly innovating a model of a dust fall trapper. In this

consolidated report, there were two experimental set-ups that were made that practically used

the same concept but with little tweaks with the design; these two set ups had been compared

and analyzed based on its efficiency. Furthermore, the researchers based the efficiency and

effectivity of the dust fall trappers on the method of measuring particulate matter.

The aim of this specific experiment is to come up with an effective and convenient way

of trapping dust and other smaller particles using improvised dust trappers. Specifically, the

researchers are guided with the following objectives:

1. Conduct two set-ups of making a simple dust trapper

2. Measure the amount of dust using empirical observation.

3. Identify what specific aspect of the dust trapper made the dust trapper effective/non-

effective.

4. State how the model can be improved.

5. Discuss the scientific relevance of the experimental design in terms of air pollution.

Moreover, in this consolidated report, the background of the study is presented by

discussing the common problems that the world is facing today due to the lack of clean air.

Also, the concept of dust trapper will be thoroughly defined and the scientific methodology

behind it. The results of the experiment would then help the researchers to come up with a

conclusion that could potentially be helpful to the underlying problems of clean air. Lastly, the

overall implication was stated in the latter part of the paper. Guided by the United Nation

Sustainable Development Goal indicator, the SDG 3.9.

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Team Assignments and Documentation

In the expected output, the instructor provided a set of objectives as a guide for making

the experiment. However, the methodology for the making of the entire set-up had not been

given. For that reason, the innovation process focused more on utilizing materials found in the

locality.

To include, due to the limited time frame and resources, the team leader decided with

the approval of the group that only two members will conduct the experiment: both improvised

the materials based on the availability. The rest of the group are then tasked on finding related

literature that could support the results of the study. Related literatures are important in

validating our data analysis and is vital in having a well-rounded conclusion and basis for

recommendation.

In addition, all of the actions from the planning, conceiving, implementing, innovating,

and to the making of the consolidated report were documented with pictures and/or videos.

Finally, all of the researchers provided their own individual journal entries. For complete

details regarding the documentative reports and journals, please refer to the links provided

below:

Documentation:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1e_XSDDtEbAR5lUMhwlFvI2NCWsmtCANQ?usp=s

haring

Journal Entries:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1fJnwo71BpeXnGcVnygHXI5Q4ZwIdaBPP?usp=shar

ing

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Background of the Study

As defined by World Health Organization (2019), air pollution occurs when any

chemical, physical, or biological factor contaminates the interior or outdoor environment,

altering the inherent properties of the atmosphere. Air pollution is frequently caused by

household combustion devices, motor vehicles, industrial operations, and forest fires.

Particulate pollution, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide are all

serious public health concerns. Air pollution, both outdoor and indoor, causes respiratory and

other ailments and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality.

In the same article, WHO also stated that each year, air pollution is predicted to kill

seven million people globally. According to WHO data, nearly all of the world's population

(99 percent) breathes air that exceeds WHO guideline limits and contains high amounts of

pollutants, with low- and middle-income nations experiencing the highest levels of exposure.

WHO assists nations in combating air pollution. Further, supported by Ritchie (2017), air

pollution is a primary cause of mortality. It is the most prevalent in low-income nations. In

2017, it was projected to have killed around 5 million people worldwide. This equates to a 9

percent – nearly one-in-ten – mortality rate.

Not only in the global scale, but air pollution has continually been a problem in the

country of Philippines. In December 2020, Manila's air quality index AQI reached 91 US

points, classifying it as "Moderate" per World Health Organization (WHO) standards. With a

value of 31.2 g/m3, PM2.5 is the primary pollutant. Philippines was rated 57th out of 98 nations

in 2019, with an average USAQI of 63 and an average PM2.5 concentration of 17.6 g/m3

(IQAir, 2020).

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The data below shows the ranking of the Philippine’s most polluted city in terms of the

air quality index as of December 06, 2021

Figure 1: Most air polluted city based on air quality index (As of December 06, 2021)

As seen in the data above, one city from Region XI entered the list. Tagum City, with

an air quality index of 80 has been dealing with air quality concerns for a long time now.

According to the results of Environmental Management Bureau-XI (2017), air quality

monitoring, the total data for Particulate Matter 10 (PM-10) concentrations from all monitoring

stations exceeds the necessary data collection rate of 75%, and thus reflects for 2017. PM-10

has an air quality index ranging from GOOD TO FAIR. Only DC Station 15 exceeds the

minimum data collection rate for Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM-2.5).

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Measuring Particulate Matter

This study focuses on measuring particulate matter, specifically, dust that are suspended

in the air. The most often used instruments for measuring particulate matter are those that

measure either the concentration or the size distribution of the particles. The most precise

readings are achieved with gravimetric (weighing) devices. The air is drawn through a pre-

weighed filter, which collects particulates. After that, the filter is removed and reweighed. This

method also has the benefit of allowing chemical analysis of the particles collected in the filter

(Whalley, 2016).

The dust fall deposit gauge is a popular design. For example, Queensland (2017) states

that a dust fall deposit gauge is generally built on an elevated platform to reduce surface dust

interference. For a laboratory analysis, it is necessary to collect monthly dust fall samples to

ensure a measurable amount of dust is recorded in the gauge. This is calculated by multiplying

the insoluble material collected by the cross-sectional area of the funnel (in square meters) and

the days taken. The units are milligrams per square meter per day.

However due to the limited time and physical constraints of the researchers’ resources,

the researchers hypothesized that it is physically improbable to measure the dust collected after

seven days. For that specific reason, the proponents of the experimental set-ups decided to

come up with two innovative ways of visually estimating the dust collected not by weight. In

the first set-up, the researchers used the solubility property of dust in water. When dust mixes

with water, it becomes homogenous. This means that the water becomes blurry due to the dust

that suspend in the water. Thus, the blurriness of water is used to estimate the abundance of

dust particles in the trapper. In the second set-up which was merely a container with net and

practically methodized to collect dust that enter it.

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EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP 1

Conducted by: Daryl Loyd Mativo

Materials:

• 500 ml Bottle Container

• Net

• Adhesive Tapes

Procedure:

1. Prepare a 500 ml bottle container and cut 3 inches along its diameter in a way that it

slices the bottle in two.

2. Cover the empty hole of the bottle with the net and make sure it is covered

completely.

3. In the case of these set-up, it had been layered with net twice so that the holes is small

enough to fit dust particles only.

4. Fill in the water bottle with water about 3 and a half inches.

5. Place the bottle along the side of road to maximize the possibility of dust fall.

6. Stabilize the bottle to make sure it does not fall.

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Results for Set-up 1

Day Picture Empirical

Observations

1st Day
• No dust
suspend on
the water.
• No dust settle
at the bottom
of the water
container.
• The water is
clear.

2nd Day
• No evident
traces of dust
that are
suspended in
the water
• Very small
and traces of
dust can be
seen on the
bottom of the
water
container
• The water is
clear

3rd Day • Dust can be

seen
suspending

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around the
water
container.
• Dusts are
evident in the
bottom part of
the water
container.
• The water
becomes
blurry in
color.

4th Day • Dust can be

seen
suspending
around the
water
container.
• Dusts are
more evident
in the bottom
part of the
water
container.
• The water
becomes more
blurry in
color.

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5th Day • Dust can be

seen
suspending
around the
water
container.
• Dusts are
increasing and
more evident
in the bottom
part of the
water
container.
• The water
becomes
blurrier in
color

6th Day • Dust can be

seen
suspending
around the
water
container.
• Dusts are
increasing and
more evident
in the bottom
part of the
water
container.
• The water
becomes

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blurrier in
color
7th Day • More dusts
can be seen
suspending
around the
water
container.
• Dusts are
increasing and
lumps of dusts
more evident
in the bottom
part of the
water
container.
• The water
becomes quite
brownish in
color

Summary of Empirical Observation

Day Levels (1-least dusts, 5-most dusts)

Day 1 1

Day 2 2

Day 3 2

Day 4 3

Day 5 4

Day 6 4

Day 7 5

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EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP 2

Conducted by: Monique Merencillo

Materials:

• Container

• Net

• Adhesive Tapes

• Pieces of Old Cloth

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Procedure:

1. Prepare a bottle container and cut it to create two opposite holes. One hole must be

larger than the other

2. Cover the empty smaller hole of the bottle with the net bag using adhesive tapes.

3. Next, attach the net to the bigger hole. (You can attach it using tape or any adhesive.

Just make sure that the hole is completely covered with net.)

7. Place the bottle along the side of road to maximize the possibility of dust fall.

8. Stabilize the bottle to make sure it does not fall.

Results for Set-up 2

Day Picture Empirical

Observations

1st Day
• No dusts can
be observed
inside the
container.

• There are
small traces of

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2nd Day dusts particles

inside the
container.

3rd Day
• Dusts are
becoming
more evident
inside the
container.
• Dusts settles
at the bottom
of the
container.

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4th Day • Dusts are

more evident
inside the
container even
without
staring at it.
• Dusts settles
and is more
abundant
along the
edges of the
container.

5th Day
• Dusts are
starting to pile
up.
• The rate of
dust increases
faster.

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6th Day
• Dust particles
are piling
more as it
settles on the
bottom of the
container.
• More and
more dusts
started to enter
the container.

7th Day
• The dust
particles are
its most
abundant
state.
• Traces of dust
started to pile
up even on the
middle portion
of the
container.

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Summary of Empirical Observation

Day Levels (1-least dusts, 5-most dusts)

Day 1 1

Day 2 2

Day 3 3

Day 4 3

Day 5 4

Day 6 5

Day 7 5

Comparison

Based on the empirical observation of the two data, the second set-up clearly had the

fastest accumulation of dust particles and is more sensible for measuring particles by weight.

The first set-up has less surface area compared to the second one. However, the dust particles

settle more on the bottom and clumps can be more evident on the said set-up. This is due to

some insoluble particles that did not homogenized with water. Both set-ups are effective in

their own way. While the set-up with water allows for the settlement of dust and more

suspension, the set-up with no water allows for a more visible and monitorable dusts particles.

How can the model be improved?

Based on the researchers’ inference, the models can be improved with a more consistent

container that can catch dust particles at all directions of wind. The container must not be filled

with too much water, so that the blurriness of the water can still be seen significantly. However,

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it is still recommendable to have a larger container to catch dust particles more. Further, the

said dust particles can be monitored by weight if the observation period is more than a month.

Significance to the Problem of Air Pollution

Clearly, this experiment alone cannot be highly beneficial to the studies of air pollution.

The results are not as firm not limited due to the available resources. However, on the good

side, it still made even a small significant impact to the concept of catching dust particles. More

importantly, in the idea of measuring particular matter by weight with respect to surface area

and time. To elucidate, this means that the objective of measuring particulate matter can be

beneficial in determining the rough estimate of air pollution in the locality.

This concept can be beneficial to the United Nation Sustainable Development Goal 3.9

which aims to substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous

chemicals and air pollution.

According to Africa (2020), these are some goal indicators of the said sustainable

development goal of the United Nations.

1. Reducing air pollution can helps families become healthier, save on medical expenses,

and improve productivity.

2. Goal 2: Air pollution can cause crop damage and affect food quality and security

3. Goal 3: Air pollution poses a major threat to human health. It is linked to respiratory

infections and cardiovascular diseases. It causes increases in population morbidity and

mortality.

4. Goal 6: Pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (S02) and nitrogen oxide (N02) from open

sires and the combustion of fossil fuels mix with precipitation causing harmful acid rain

that can compromise water quality.

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References

Africa, I. (2020, September 7). #CleanAirForAll: Air Pollution and Impacts on Sustainable
Development Goals. Medium. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from
https://medium.com/climatewed/cleanairforall-air-pollution-and-impacts-on-
sustainable-development-goals-79a90e1473f9
Environmental Management Bureau-XI. (2017). Air Quality Management. Department of
Environmental and Natural Resources. http://r11.emb.gov.ph/programs/air-quality-
management/
IQAir. (2020, December 6). Philippines Air Quality Index (AQI) and Air Pollution
information | AirVisual. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from
https://www.iqair.com/philippines
Queensland;, C. O. S. O. (2017, April 10). Measuring dust. Environment, Land and Water |
Queensland Government. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from
https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/pollution/monitoring/air/air-
monitoring/measuring/dustfall
Ritchie, H. (2017, April 17). Air Pollution. Our World in Data. Retrieved December 6, 2021,
from https://ourworldindata.org/air-pollution#:%7E:text=Summary-
,Air%20pollution%20is%20one%20of%20the%20world’s%20leading%20risk%20fac
tors,to%209%25%20of%20deaths%20globally.&text=Death%20rates%20from%20ai
r%20pollution%20are%20highest%20in%20low%2Dto,in%20rates%20across%20the
%20world.
Whalley, J. (2016, December 14). Particulate Matter Sampling Techniques and Data
Modelling Methods. IntechOpen. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from
https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/52206
World Health Organization. (2019, July 30). Air pollution. WHO. Retrieved December 6,
2021, from https://www.who.int/health-topics/air-pollution#tab=tab_1

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