The Efficacy of Antimicrobial Cleaning Products and Their Impact on the Respiratory System

Overview

Exposure to common household antimicrobial cleaning products may lead to an increased likelihood of developing respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Numerous studies have observed this. Exposure to cleaning products in early childhood may lead to the child being more susceptible to developing asthma. Individuals who work in the cleaning industry have shown higher risks of developing COPD. In today’s pandemic stricken world, cleaning products are used much more frequently, leading to an increase in asthma cases. These products are designed to kill microorganisms. However, it is possible that they also harm other organisms. Solutions were made from seven cleansers at four concentrations. Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli k12 were exposed to cleansers and their zones of inhibition were measured to test the products’ efficacy. Drosophila melanogaster were tested to observe the effects of these products on other organisms. Ten Drosophila were put into medium filled vials. The vials were closed off with a foam stopper that had one milliliter of solution in it to expose the Drosophila to the products while still intaking oxygen. The number of dead Drosophila and visible motile larva were recorded daily for thirteen days. The data showed that exposure to higher concentrations of cleansers led to larger zones of inhibition in gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. It also showed that some products may have a slightly negative effect on the lifespan and reproduction of Drosophila. Femoral Rotation and Effect on Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome Campbell King Wentzville Holt High School, Wentzville, MO Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS), also known as “shin splints”, is a common lower leg abnormality that can be a debilitating injury in runners and athletes in select athletic populations. It is one of the most frequently diagnosed injuries, specifying one third of all running injuries. Although many specific pathological contributors of this condition have not been identified, it can be concluded that repeated stress to the fascia insertion area of the medial soleus is associated with MTSS. It is also known that greater internal/external femoral range of motion (ROM) is a contributor to MTSS, also being noted as a risk factor for several lower leg abnormalities such as internal/external tibial torsion, genu varum (bowleg), and genu valgum (knock knee). Due to excessive femoral ROM being a great risk factor for MTSS, the purpose of this study was to identify a potential correlation between a specific degree or degree range of femoral rotation and MTSS expression. 24 subjects were evaluated for femoral rotation and MTSS expression. In addition, the athlete’s age, height, and weight were recorded. Athletes were also asked to report if they experienced MTSS before, during, or after the time of screening, during their athletic season. It was found after statistical analysis that there was no correlation observed between femoral rotation and MTSS expression. This study can aid further research by narrowing down the field of known risk factors to MTSS development. A Novel Approach to the Mitigation of Organophosphate Aerosols using an Electrospun Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)/ Cellulose Nanofibrous Filter Isabell Owens Camdenton High School, Camdenton, MO Chlorpyrifos is a widely used organophosphate pesticide which is not only used in agriculture but also used in attractions like golf. Chlorpyrifos is an inhibitor of cholinesterase and acetylcholine which means the functions in both the peripheral nervous system and the central nervous system are interfered with negatively. The residual exposure of such pesticides through inhalation is especially damaging towards the nerves and hormonal organs of the near residents. At the moment there are only purification technologies for water exposure. In this study, a variety of metal retained cellulose nanocrystals modified with polyvinyl alcohol were fabricated to determine the efficiency of aerosol CP removal using filters. The CNCs were acid-treated with hydrochloric acid to be prepared for metal retention of FeCl3, CoSO4, and CuCl, separately. The metal retained CNCs were sonicated with PVA to be electrospun in wire mesh as a fabricated filter. This filter was used in a PVC pipe system for the removal of CP. The collection paper was washed out with acetonitrile and the solution is measured using a UV-VIS spectrophotometer. Wavelength absorbance number from UV-VIS spectrophotometer displaying a positive correlation between absorbance and adsorbance of chlorpyrifos indicating that the greater the number from the spectrophotometer, the more efficient the filter, signifying the utilization of heavy metal-ion modified cellulose nanofibrous filters. Specifically, the cobalt filter was the most significant given the round total compared to those of copper and iron. However, the numbers given by the instrument are up to interpretation in the way of inverse proportions and the understanding of the most efficient filter in the reduction of exposure. Discovering the Potential of LiDAR Field Detection to Improve Space Debris Recognition and Evasion Connor Starkey Camdenton High School, Camdenton, MO Increasingly cluttered space conditions have long impacted the reliability and safety of manned and unmanned space vehicles. With increased focus on space travel in the commercial and industrial markets, the existing conditions in orbital range transcend the current capabilities of detection and evasion technology for space vessels. Space debris has long been a grave concern for industrial and commercial spaceflight as there is no effective method of detecting and avoiding space debris of varying sizes. According to the Joint Publication of Space Operations by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Space has become a naturally hazardous environment to maneuver and is becoming increasingly congested. Space assets face many natural and manmade threats with the primary threat to satellites being space debris. (Scott, 2020). This experiment strives to develop a method of real time debris detection and evasion for CubeSats. Another component to the experimentation strives to accomplish completely autonomous functioning independent of manned interaction and relays…. (will continue with results). The Effect of Anthropogenic Noise on Bumblebee Foraging Patterns Lila Sverdrup Holt High School, Wentzville, MO Bumblebee populations in Missouri and around the world have been dwindling. It is important to research these creatures as they are crucial to the ecosystem and can forage plants that other pollinators cannot. Noise pollution may be harming these insects. This project was conducted to see if there were positive or negative effects of anthropogenic noise on bumblebee foraging patterns. It was hypothesized that anthropogenic noise harms bumblebee foraging patterns, decreasing the amount of foraging or causing avoidance of high-noise areas. Bumblebees were allowed to forage in an arena with a grid of numbered artificial flowers that had PCR tubes of sugar water in them. Tests were conducted with different types of noises played while bumblebees were foraging. The amount of sugar water left in the tubes was measured, and the amount consumed was calculated. Results did not confirm nor deny the hypothesis and indicated that the noise played did not affect the foraging behavior of the bumblebees. Several technical issues could have impacted the lack of significance found in the data. However, graphical trends suggest bumblebees avoid high-noise areas. Ultimately, more research needs to be done on the effects of anthropogenic noise on bumblebees and the insect overall.