Ambient Air Quality of “Blue Collar” and “White Collar” Work Environment
School Name
Spring Valley High School
Grade Level
10th Grade
Presentation Topic
Environmental Science
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
Previous studies have shown air quality of environments can pose health risks if there are high concentrations of particulate matter(PM) and formaldehyde. The purpose of this experiment was to test PM and formaldehyde levels in traditional blue and white collar work environments. It was hypothesized that the blue collar work environments would have the highest PM concentration, and the white collar work environments would have the higher concentration of formaldehyde. White collar measurements were taken in a guidance office and an insurance office. Blue collar measurements were taken in a woodshop work environment, and an automotive work environment. Measurements were taken by an EG Air Air Quality Pollution Monitor. Blue collar work environments had the higher levels of PM, while the white collar work environments had the highest formaldehyde concentrations. It was concluded that there were some unsafe levels of PM present, which could lead to adverse health effects. However, there were not any unsafe readings of formaldehyde at the sites recorded. Two sample t-tests were also conducted and showed significant difference between blue and white collar, PM (t(43)= 6.61, p< 0.001) and formaldehyde (t(81)= 4.88, p< 0.001) concentrations. According to the study, one would find more PM in traditional blue collar work environments, and more formaldehyde in traditional white collar environments.
Recommended Citation
Davis, Paul, "Ambient Air Quality of “Blue Collar” and “White Collar” Work Environment" (2019). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 38.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2019/all/38
Location
Founders Hall 213 A
Start Date
3-30-2019 10:45 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
Group Project
No
Ambient Air Quality of “Blue Collar” and “White Collar” Work Environment
Founders Hall 213 A
Previous studies have shown air quality of environments can pose health risks if there are high concentrations of particulate matter(PM) and formaldehyde. The purpose of this experiment was to test PM and formaldehyde levels in traditional blue and white collar work environments. It was hypothesized that the blue collar work environments would have the highest PM concentration, and the white collar work environments would have the higher concentration of formaldehyde. White collar measurements were taken in a guidance office and an insurance office. Blue collar measurements were taken in a woodshop work environment, and an automotive work environment. Measurements were taken by an EG Air Air Quality Pollution Monitor. Blue collar work environments had the higher levels of PM, while the white collar work environments had the highest formaldehyde concentrations. It was concluded that there were some unsafe levels of PM present, which could lead to adverse health effects. However, there were not any unsafe readings of formaldehyde at the sites recorded. Two sample t-tests were also conducted and showed significant difference between blue and white collar, PM (t(43)= 6.61, p< 0.001) and formaldehyde (t(81)= 4.88, p< 0.001) concentrations. According to the study, one would find more PM in traditional blue collar work environments, and more formaldehyde in traditional white collar environments.
