Illustrated Guide to Home Biology Experiments

Chapter 22. Air Pollution Testing

Equipment and Materials

You’ll need the following items to complete this lab session. (The standard kit for this book, available from www.thehomescientist.com, includes the items listed in the first group.)

Materials from Kit

• Microscope slides

Materials You Provide

• Gloves

• Saucers or similar containers

• Microscope

• Petroleum jelly (Vaseline or similar)

• Plastic wrap (Saran or similar)

• Spray bottle (optional)

• Watch or timer

Background

Air pollution takes many forms. It may result from natural processes or human activity. Gaseous air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and hydrocarbon vapors are produced by automobile exhausts and industrial processes, as well as by wildfires and other natural processes. ...