Measure Air Pollution: Project Overview

Funding and Background

Co-funded by European Commission under H2020 ICT2015 Research and Innovation action.
Grant agreement number: 688620.

Investigate the greenhouse effect through measuring methane gas from human and animal emissions.

Create Measuring Instrument
- Utilize resources from Smart Kids Lab/making meters for guidance.
- Required equipment: MQ4 methane sensor, resistors, battery holder, VU meter, electrical wires, wire strippers, soldering iron, tape.
Conduct Research and Experimentation
- Formulate what you aim to investigate.
- Prepare equipment and methodology for measuring farts (methane gas emission).
- Suggested to consume foods like beans or broccoli to increase fart frequency.

Methane gas (CH4) in farts is a significant greenhouse gas.
Individual emissions are minor, but global emissions from humans, animals, and industries contribute significantly to warming.
Cows are major methane producers due to their dietary and digestive habits.

Data Collection
- Use Smart Kids Lab worksheet for recording fart frequency and gas emissions.
Data Comparison and Sharing
- Use the compare-o-meter to compare personal data with others.
- Share findings on the Great Data Map at smartkidslab.nl.

Build and Use a Methane Meter:
- Solder wires and components correctly, ensure proper connections.
- Use meter to measure methane during fart emissions.
**Record and Analyze Emission Data: **
- Document frequency and quantity over multiple days.
- Calculate average daily emissions.

Various animals' fart emissions are significant to ecological studies (e.g., termites, cows, etc.).
Fart-related data can provide insights into personal and broader ecological impact.

Encourages understanding of personal emissions and their impact on air quality.
Aimed at promoting awareness of the greenhouse effect and ecological sustainability.

Smart Kids Lab (smartkidslab.nl) provides tools and worksheets for experimentation and data collection.