Analysis of Indoor and Outdoor VOCs in Bitterroot Valley Air A Baseline Study Analysis of Indoor and Outdoor VOCs in Bitterroot Valley Air

Conducted By Corvallis High School

Purpose Establish values for the presence of certain VOCs in Bitterroot Valley air Identify any toxic problems

Hypothesis VOCs values would be higher for the indoor pumps compared to the outdoor pumps Most VOCs come from chemicals often used indoors. Walking pumps would also be higher than the outdoor pumps because most people spend more time indoors.

Procedure Each student received two pumps (indoor and outdoor) Some students wore walking pumps Over a twelve hour testing period Sent to U of M for analysis

Comparing values to the TLV-TWA TLV-TWA Threshold Limit Value - Time-Weighted Average: The time-weighted average concentration for a normal 8 hour work day and a 40 hour work week, to which nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed, day after day, without adverse effect.

Tetrachloromethane Causes Cancer Irritation to skin dermatitis kidney or liver damage damage to eyes, skin and lungs Found in Household dry cleaning fluids Fire extinguishers used with electrical petrol fires

Averages (measured in ng/m³) Inside: 587.00 Outside: 877.35 Walking: 704.20 TLV-TWA: 3.146 X 10^7

Benzene Causes Cancer, specifically leukemia Long term exposure affects bone marrow and blood production Short term exposure causes drowsiness, dizziness, unconsciousness and death, in high level exposure. Found in plastics, detergents, pesticides and other chemicals.

Averages (measured in ng/m³) Inside: 828.42 Outside: 1243.83 Walking: 1331.45 TLV-TWA: 1.6 X 10^6

Toluene Causes Tiredness, confusion, weakness drunken-type behavior, memory loss, nausea loss of appetite, hearing and color vision loss, kidney problems and even death birth defects, retardation and growth problems. Affects to the nervous system. Found in paints, paint thinners, fingernail polishes, lacquers and adhesives

Averages (measured in ng/m³) Inside: 12737.54 Outside: 6564.00 Walking: 11009.50 TLV-TWA: 1.884 X 10^8

Joke Break How many physical chemists does it take to wash a beaker? None. That's what organic chemists are for!

Ethylbenzene Causes dizziness, throat and eye irritation tightening of the chest and burning sensation in the eyes In animal studies it is shown to affect the nervous system, liver, kidneys and eyes Found in gasoline and paints

Averages (measured in ng/m³) Inside: 2933.44 Outside: 1820.48 Walking: 1353.57 TLV-TWA: 4.3419 X 10^8

1,4-dimethylbenzene Causes Pulmonary edema, circulatory collapse, damage to upper respiratory tract Coughing, choking, headache, nausea, vomiting, dermatitis Destruction of eye tissue, fainting, convulsions and coma Kidney and liver damage and blood effects

Averages (measured in ng/m³) Inside: 3416.39 Outside: 2555.39 Walking: 2251.80

1,2-dimethylbenzene Causes dizziness, passing out, death, bone marrow damage low blood cell count, problems with memory and concentration, damage to a developing fetus, irritation of eyes, nose and throat, stomach problems, drowsiness, staggering gait, corneal vacuolization, nausea, vomiting, dermatitis, lack of coordination Found in gasoline, polyester fibers, dyes and insecticides sterilizing catgut, petroleum fractions.

Averages (measured in ng/m³) Inside: 3370.69 Outside: 2367.51 Walking: 1582.12

Joke Break How did Avogadro deliver his packages overseas? Air Mole

Isopropylbenzene Causes ataxia, cough, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, sore throat, unconsciousness, redness, pain and dry skin. Found in crude oils spills released from anthropogenic sources solvents, paint, ink

Averages (measured in ng/m³) Inside: 1329.28 Outside: 115.96 Walking: 216.68

N-propylbenzene Toxicology is not fully investigated, may be an irritant to respiratory system and flammable.

Averages (measured in ng/m³) Inside: 1354.83 Outside: 232.09 Walking: 402.30

One Last Joke Break A neutron walks into a bar, sits down and asks for a drink. Finishing, the neutron asks "How much?" The bartender says, "For you, no charge."

1,3,5-trimethylbenzene Harmful if inhaled or swallowed. Is an irritant, irritates eyes, respiratory system and skin.

Averages (measured in ng/m³) Inside: 1927.15 Outside: 367.89 Walking: 901.02 TLV-TWA: 1.229 X 10^8

1,2,4-trimethylbenzene May be harmful through ingestion, inhalation or skin contact. Harmful to respiratory system, skin and eyes.

Averages (measured in ng/m³) Inside: 3372.17 Outside: 1051.72 Walking: 2445.05 TLV-TWA: 1.229 X 10^8

Comparing to ACGIH Standards In our inside, outside and walking pumps the values are significantly lower than the ACGIH values All VOC concentrations safe, however levels are higher inside Walking pumps are similar to inside pumps

Acknowledgements Thanks to Dr. Tony J. Ward, Chris Magliacci, Baron Arnone and the University of Montana, Center for Environmental Health Sciences.

I LOVE VOCs!!!!! Haha, I’m funny! Only 4 more days! Get me out of this place!