1. Vacuum Air Quality By: Cherstin Ling and Linnaea Keane

2. The Question How will Vacuuming and using a Dust Buster effect the PM2.5 level inside the room?

3. Hypothesis We predicted that the PM2.5 level while vacuuming or using the Dust Buster will be higher than normal.

4. Things We Know We spend 85% of our time inside so our indoor air quality is very important. Some manufacturers are offering vacuums that are better for air quality. The American college of Allergists reports that 50% of all illnesses are caused or aggravated by, toxic, indoor air.

5. Procedure We used the DustTrak to collect air quality data. First we set up the DustTrack on a chair in Linnaea Keane’s house and sampled the air quality while running a vacuum directly under it at about 4:00 pm. We then waited about a half an hour to let it go back to normal and then sampled while running a dust buster right under it.

6. Results

7. Improvements We could have tested different brands and types of vacuums and different brands. We could have done different tests in different houses and rooms that were dirtier, possibly stirring up more dust.

8. Conclusion We found that the PM2.5 levels did go up a bit but nothing that would be significant enough to effect our health. The results agree with our hypothesis but not the extent that we thought they would. We thought that the fact it was next to a fire place could effect the results but overall the air quality in the room was quite low.

9. References Mifflin, Mariette. "CRI Green Labels, Vacuums & Air Quality." Housewares and Appliances - House Essentials and Appliance Buying Tips. Web. 25 Apr. 2011.. "Indoor Air Quality." Gore. Web. 25 Apr. 2011.. "Vacuum Systems - Indoor Air Quality." Family and Consumer Sciences, Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Web. 25 Apr. 2011..