Meghan Hodges
A pollution catcher is a simple activity that helps catch air pollutants. It involves hanging a plate coated with Vaseline in an area where you want to assess air quality. After a few days to a week, you can observe the amount and type of particles that have stuck to the plate, giving you an indication of the air pollution in that specific location. This activity is often used educationally to raise awareness about air pollution and its impact on our breathing and health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Catch air pollution |
| Materials | Plastic plate, hole punch, string, Vaseline, permanent marker |
| Method | Poke or punch a hole in the plate, pull the string through, draw a nature-themed picture on the plate with the marker, cover the picture with Vaseline, hang the plate outside for a few weeks |
| Results | Particles or pollutants accumulate on the plate |
| Applications | Can be hung in a home, yard, school playground, or busy area to test air quality |
| Limitations | Cannot catch every form of pollution |
| Pollution Type | Air pollution |
| Examples of Pollution Sources | Machines, traffic, transport systems, loud music, construction, lawn care maintenance |
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What You'll Learn
- Pollution catchers are used to catch and study air pollution particles
- They can be made with simple materials such as a plastic plate, string, and vaseline
- Hang the catcher outside for a few weeks to catch pollutants that affect air quality
- Retrieve the catcher after 3-7 days to observe the accumulation of particles
- This activity helps raise awareness about air pollution and its impact on our health
Pollution catchers are used to catch and study air pollution particles
Pollution catchers are simple yet effective tools used to study air pollution. They are commonly made using a plastic plate, a hole punch, a string, and Vaseline. To set up a pollution catcher, one must first take the plate and punch a hole at the top. A string is then tied through the hole so that the catcher can be hung up.
The next step is to use a permanent marker to draw something on the plate that represents nature. This could be a symbol for a healthy planet, such as a tree or the sun. The picture drawn on the plate should then be coloured in with Vaseline. The plate is then ready to be hung outside, in a playground, or even inside the home.
After leaving the pollution catcher hanging for a few weeks, tiny particles of pollutants will be found to have accumulated on the plate. These are the particles that we breathe in. By examining the particles caught on the pollution catcher, we can gain a better understanding of the air quality in a particular area.
The Los Angeles Public Library suggests a similar activity, recommending the use of paper plates or cardstock paper instead of plastic plates. They also suggest writing the date and location on each plate before hanging them up, making it easier to identify the site after taking the plates down for study.
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They can be made with simple materials such as a plastic plate, string, and vaseline
A pollution catcher is a simple yet effective way to deal with air pollution. This activity includes a plastic plate, a hole punch, a string, and Vaseline.
To make a pollution catcher, start by punching a hole at the top of the plate. Pull the string through the hole and tie a knot, ensuring the string is long enough to hang the catcher in your desired location. You can hang it anywhere, such as in your backyard, outside your window, or even on a tree.
The next step is to decorate your plate with a nature-themed design. Use your imagination to draw a symbol that represents a healthy planet. For example, you can draw a fish or a beautiful scene of a clean Earth. This decoration serves as a visual reminder of the importance of clean air and a healthy environment.
Now, take Vaseline (also known as petroleum jelly) and generously apply it to the entire plate, covering every inch, including your artwork. The Vaseline acts as an adhesive, trapping pollutants from the air.
Hang your pollution catcher in the chosen location and leave it for a few weeks. When you retrieve it, you will likely find tiny particles of pollutants stuck to the plate. These particles are normally floating in the air we breathe, and the Vaseline has effectively caught and removed them from the environment.
By creating and using pollution catchers, you can actively contribute to cleaner air and develop a better understanding of the air quality in your surroundings.
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Hang the catcher outside for a few weeks to catch pollutants that affect air quality
Air pollution has a detrimental impact on human health and the planet. It is responsible for about seven million deaths worldwide each year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The majority of people, 99% according to the WHO, breathe air that exceeds the recommended limit for pollutants.
A pollution catcher is a simple yet effective way to deal with air pollution. It is a device that can be hung outside to catch pollutants that affect air quality. The process is straightforward and involves the following steps:
Firstly, find an area where you can hang the pollution catcher. This can be in your yard or another outdoor space. It is recommended to try placing one catcher in a busier area compared to another to compare the results. Adult supervision is advised when setting up the catcher to ensure it is secure and safe.
Next, prepare the catcher. You will need a plastic plate, a hole punch, a string, and Vaseline. Punch a hole in the top of the plate and thread the string through, ensuring it is long enough for your chosen hanging location. You can decorate the plate with a nature-inspired design using a permanent marker. This could be a symbol for a healthy planet, such as a tree or a flower.
Once the plate is prepared, coat your design with a layer of Vaseline. This will act as an adhesive, trapping pollutants that come into contact with the plate. Hang the catcher in your chosen location and leave it for a few weeks.
After a few weeks, retrieve your pollution catcher. You will likely find a buildup of tiny particles stuck to the plate. These particles are pollutants that are normally floating in the air and can be breathed in, affecting air quality and our health.
By using a pollution catcher, you can gain a better understanding of the pollutants present in the air and their potential impact on your health. This simple activity can raise awareness of air pollution and the importance of finding solutions to improve air quality.
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Retrieve the catcher after 3-7 days to observe the accumulation of particles
After leaving your pollution catcher hanging for 3-7 days, you can retrieve it to observe the accumulation of particles. This simple experiment will help you determine the amount of foreign particles in the air in a specific area and give you an idea of how "dirty" the air is.
You will likely find some amount of particles stuck to the catcher. The number of particles will depend on the location of the catcher and the level of pollution in the surrounding environment. For example, if the catcher was placed in a busy area, a big city, or an area with known air pollution, you would likely find more particles stuck to the catcher.
The particles on the catcher are pollutants that float through the air and can affect our ability to breathe well. By observing the accumulation of particles on the catcher, you can gain a better understanding of the air quality in the area where the catcher was placed.
To identify the site where the catcher was hung, it is helpful to write down the date and location before hanging the catcher. This will make it easier to study the results and compare the air quality in different areas.
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This activity helps raise awareness about air pollution and its impact on our health
Making your own air pollution catcher is an excellent activity to raise awareness about air pollution and its impact on our health. Air pollution is a major environmental health hazard and a familiar one—we see it when a brown haze settles over a city, or when exhaust billows from a busy highway. We also know it's there when we smell it, even if we can't see it.
Air pollution is a mix of hazardous substances from both human-made and natural sources. Vehicle emissions, fuel oils, natural gas, industrial emissions, and chemical fumes are just some examples of air pollutants. These pollutants can cause a wide range of health problems, including respiratory issues, heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. They can also worsen existing conditions, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The impact of air pollution on our health varies depending on age, location, underlying health, and other factors. For instance, children are particularly vulnerable as their bodies are still developing, and low-income communities are often disproportionately exposed to air pollution.
To make your own pollution catcher, you'll need a plastic plate, a hole punch, a string, and vaseline. Punch a hole in the top of the plate and tie the string to it so you can hang it up. You can decorate the plate with a nature-themed drawing and even colour it in with a permanent marker. Then, coat your artwork with vaseline and hang the plate outside your home or in a playground. After a few weeks, you'll find tiny particles or pollutants stuck to the plate—pollutants that you would otherwise be breathing in.
This activity is a simple yet effective way to visualize the presence of air pollution and understand how it can affect our health. It also encourages us to think about ways to reduce air pollution and improve the quality of the air we breathe. For example, we can focus on reducing emissions, improving air monitoring, and advocating for policies that prioritize clean air for all. By raising awareness about air pollution and taking action to address it, we can help protect the health and well-being of our communities.
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Frequently asked questions
A pollution catcher is a simple activity to help catch air pollutants.
You will need a plastic plate, a hole punch, a string, and Vaseline. First, punch a hole in the top of the plate and thread the string through it. Then, decorate the plate with a permanent marker, drawing something that represents nature. Finally, cover your drawing with Vaseline and hang the plate outside.
After leaving the plate outside for a few weeks, you will find that tiny particles of pollutants have stuck to it. These are the particles that would otherwise be inhaled.
You can hang your pollution catcher inside your home or outside in a yard or school playground. It is also recommended to try placing one in a busy area to compare the results.
