Worrisome Waxes

Makena JohnsonCharlie CarpenterMatt KennedyStella Holt

Whitefish High SchoolMr. Spangler

Introduction

Question- Does Nordic ski waxing impose a significant air quality hazard?

Hypothesis- While waxing Nordic skis the PM 2.5 levels will exceed the EPA outdoor air recommendation.

Procedure

Prior to testing Set DustTrak location and fill out questionnaire

During test period Monitor test area to establish baseline for two

hours Wax skis for one hour Document activities in test area during test

period After test period

Record minimum, maximum, and average PM2.5 levels

DustTrak Monitor

Graph

0:010:210:411:011:211:412:012:212:413:013:210

0.20.40.60.8

11.21.41.61.8

22.2

Nordic Ski Waxing

WaxingEPA outdoor air limit

Time (hrs:min)

January 13, 2010Start Time: 3:00 PMEnd Time: 6:45 PM

PM2.5 Levels

EPA Limit: .035 mg/m^3

Average: .142 mg/m^3

Minimum: .003 mg/m^3

Maximum: 2.117 mg/m^3

Conclusion

From our data we saw the PM 2.5 levels spike slightly as people came in and out of the room. When the waxing started, the PM 2.5 levels spiked well over the EPA limit and then slowly decreased as the waxing stopped.

Improvements To Test

Keep door consistently closed in waxing area

Monitor number of people waxing Test different areas of the room Keep track of which waxes were

being used

Refrences

Pauli, Matthew. "SkiWax.ca Waxroom Safety &Health." SkiWax.ca : Ski Wax, Tools and Accessories Available On-line. 2002. Web. 12 Apr. 2010. <http://www.skiwax.ca/tp/waxroom1.php>.

Smith, Aubrey. "The Hazards of Waxing." FasterSkier.com — FasterSkier: Cross-Country Ski, Biathlon, and Nordic Combined Racing, Training and News. 6 Jan. 2010. Web. 12 Apr. 2010. <http://fasterskier.com/2010/01/the-hazards-of-waxing/>.

"SwixSport.com : SwixProduct / FAQ." SwixSport.com. 2010. Web. 12 Apr. 2010. <http://www.swixsport.com/eway/default.aspx?pid=278&trg=Left_6161&MainContent_6179=6154:0:24,3543&Left_6161=5918:56465::0:6106:1:::0:0>.