{"id":800,"date":"2020-09-07T22:24:53","date_gmt":"2020-09-07T21:24:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/festivalofthemind.sheffield.ac.uk\/2020\/?post_type=exhibit1&p=800"},"modified":"2021-07-07T13:01:08","modified_gmt":"2021-07-07T12:01:08","slug":"invisible-pollution","status":"publish","type":"exhibit1","link":"https:\/\/festivalofthemind.sheffield.ac.uk\/2020\/futurecade\/invisible-pollution\/","title":{"rendered":"Invisible Pollution"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The project<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If someone handed you a glass of brown water, you wouldn\u2019t drink it. Unfortunately, when it comes to the air we breathe, it\u2019s not that simple. We only notice poor quality or polluted air when it starts to affect our health. But by that time it\u2019s too late. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Invisible Pollution is a digital climate and pollution monitor that makes poor quality polluted air visible. Devised by masters student Damian Bemben (Computer Science), it\u2019s the perfect example of how digital technology can make the world a better place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Invisible Pollution focuses on air pollution in Sheffield by using various maps and data charts to show which areas are prone to the most pollution. The following exhibit is based on Sheffield pollution data, and is meant to make pollution a little bit clearer, and understandable. To view real-time pollution data, visit SheffSense.Uk<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Working in conjunction with Urban Flows Observatory<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is pollution?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In simple words, pollution is the when the environment is contaminated by waste, harmful chemicals\/particles. The two types of pollution particulates we will be concentrating on are PM2.5 and PM10. So, what exactly is PM? PM stands for \u201cParticulate Matter\u201d and it is a term used to describe solid and liquid particulates in the air. To group these particulates, we have a number after the \u201cPM\u201d. For example, particulates in the PM2.5 group must have a diameter below 2.5 \u00b5m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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PM\u2082.\u2085<\/strong>
Combustion Particles
Organic Compounds
Metals<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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PM\u2081\u2080<\/strong>
Dust
Pollen
Mould<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Why are we so worried about PM\u2081\u2080 & PM\u2082.\u2085?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As you can see in the diagram below, PM10 and PM2.5 pollutants are extremely small meaning they can easily be inhaled and there could be some deposits throughout the airways. Due to these deposits, we usually see an increased number of hospital admissions for heart\/lung issues where these pollutants are in abundance. Research shows older adults with chronic heart or lung disease are most likely to experience health problems when exposed to PM10 and PM2.5. However, this isn\u2019t the only group of individuals who are at risk from these pollutants. Children and infants are also greatly at risk as they inhale more air per pound of body weight than adults do and spend more time outdoors whilst having a weaker immune system when compared to a healthy adult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n