Regina Marielle T. Arnaiz, Kian B. Candelario, Anjel Mae B. Estrella (April 2010)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
Ozone emission could trigger irritation of the respiratory system, coughing, throat irritation, and an uncomfortable sensation in the chest. Indoor ozone comes from different anthropogenic sources such as copying machines, lasers printers, electrostatic air filters and ozone generators Ozone forms during copying when a photoreceptor and paper are inserted of discharged as well as when UV lamp operators during photocopying (Valuntaite and Girgzdiene 2007). This study aimed to measure amount of ozone using the Schoenbein Paper method. Specifically, it aimed to: a.) Measure the amount ozone concentration (in parts per billion) emitted by the photocopiers, b.) Compare the amount of ozone concentration detected among the four sites: Tigbauan Municipal Hall, Land Transportation Office, Department of Science and Technology Regional Office and the Philippine Science High School copying room. Schoenbein Paper Method was used to measure the amount of ozone emission from four agency sites. Paper strips were coated in a mixture of potassium iodide, distilled water and cornstarch, dried under the oven, and then exposed on the site for 8-hr period. The ozone concentrations were then quantified using the Relative Humidity Schoenbein Number Chart through the recorded color change and relative humidity. The results showed that there were was a tolerable concentration of ozone present in the testing sites. The ozone concentrations were recorded in Tigbauan Municipal Hall (7.07ppb), LTFRB (6.33ppb), PSHS-WV (6.03ppb), and DOST VI (5.67ppb). It was confirmed that the amount of ozone emitted from the photocopiers were not harmful to humans