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

2. Conducted By Corvallis High School

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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. Averages (measured in ng/m³)
Inside:
Outside:
Walking:
TLV-TWA: X 10^7

9. 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.

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

11. 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

12. Averages (measured in ng/m³)
Inside:
Outside:
Walking:
TLV-TWA: X 10^8

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

14. 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

15. Averages (measured in ng/m³)
Inside:
Outside:
Walking:
TLV-TWA: X 10^8

16. 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

17. Averages (measured in ng/m³)
Inside:
Outside:
Walking:

18. 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.

19. Averages (measured in ng/m³)
Inside:
Outside:
Walking:

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

21. 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

22. Averages (measured in ng/m³)
Inside:
Outside:
Walking:

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

24. Averages (measured in ng/m³)
Inside:
Outside:
Walking:

25. 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."

26. 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene
Harmful if inhaled or swallowed. Is an irritant, irritates eyes, respiratory system and skin.

27. Averages (measured in ng/m³)
Inside:
Outside:
Walking:
TLV-TWA: X 10^8

28. 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene
May be harmful through ingestion, inhalation or skin contact. Harmful to respiratory system, skin and eyes.

29. Averages (measured in ng/m³)
Inside:
Outside:
Walking:
TLV-TWA: X 10^8

30. 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

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

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