Progress 01/02/06 to 07/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: For this research the results obtained were disseminated extensively literally covering the world. For this purpose, the results were presented in several local and national conferences. These conferences included The Southeastern Regional Meeting (October 24 - 27, 2007), The 60th Southeastern Regional Meeting (SERMACS) (November 12-15, 2008), 15th Biennial Research Symposium March 28 to April 1, 2009, and 238th ACS National Meeting Washington, D.C., Aug. 16-20, 2010. Some of the presentations were as posters and some were done orally during various conferences. During the 238th (August 16 -20) ACS National Meeting in Washington, DC the findings were presented orally and also a non-technical summary was submitted and published with the American Chemical Society. This was reflected by the office of Public Affairs of ACS as: "National Meeting News Blast" World Media including Newspaper, Magazines, Radios, Televisions, Scientific Societies, Health Magazines, Environmentalist disseminated this over the globe within minutes. The request for more information concerning this matter has been overwhelming and is far beyond all expectations. PARTICIPANTS: The following were participants on the project: Brown, Shauntay undergraduate biology student; Hamidi, Saba undergraduate physics student Warrington, Christen undergraduate chemistry (education) student; Oliver, Shaquetta undergraduate biology student;Lalmansingh, Jared undergraduate physics student;Hamidi, Amid undergraduate chemistry student (currently at Medical School of the University of South Carolina). TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audience for this investigation was essentially all classes of people in the world particularly those who are interested in burning candles for various purposes. The first aim includes all scientists and health professionals to be inform and become aware to act effectively changing sources and methods of preparation of candles. Knowledge and understanding of this class of people would be critical in initiating extensive research on variety of hazardous materials produced by some candles to prevent illnesses and other problems resulting from the use of those candles. The next class of population are the farmers that could develop and expand the growth of soybean in order to be used in candle industry instead of petroleum residue. The other target class of audiences are the consumers that could be the most effective in determining how healthy they need to be and essentially the consequence of their understanding. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The goals for the project was extended beyond the proposed objectives by realizing that some candles are polluting the environment far more than it has been noticed. Extension of the project produced results which were not expected. We discovered that many unwanted chemical are being produced by candles that are health hazards and could cause various diseases. The chromatogram of emission products of candles were tested for hazardous emissions. Among hazardous chemicals that candles produced are various alkanes, alkenes, toluene can affect the central nervous system (Higher concentrations estimated at higher than 10000 ppm can result in unconsciousness and death), benzene (classified as a Class A carcinogenic by the Environmental Protection Agency) and some other chemicals were of paraffin based, the fourth type which was completely clean and produced nothing was soybean based. Apparently, petroleum based candled contain impurities that in large scale usage are going to pollute the atmosphere creating particular hazard for those that inhale it for a longer period.
Impacts
The direct impact of this project is elimination of any health hazard substances that might affect human health because of unnecessary inhalation of hazardous materials. Knowledge of the possible vaporized substance from specified candles allows consumers to choose those candles that would not produce unwanted materials causing either material or health hazard to human beings. Economically, paraffin candles produce carbon which is ruining the furniture, walls, cloths, which is expensive to clean or remove the effect. Therefore, the overall impact of this project is beneficial for the entire population of the world, nations and governments to have healthy and productive generations. Considerable adverse health effects including cancer, asthma, and dermatitis as a result of burning paraffin wax candles in enclosed limited areas have been reported. The composition of emission products are identified by using a GC/MS system equipped with a NIST Library of compounds. The chromatogram of emission products of paraffin based candles were tested for hazardous emissions. In support of published reports the petroleum based candles produced various alkanes, alkenes, toluene, benzene (a carcinogen) and some other chemicals whereas the soybean candle was completely clean. Apparently, petroleum based candled produce chemicals that are health hazards and producing chemicals that should be avoided. Our presentation of results had a great impact in scientific community, general public and candle making industry all over the globe. This resulted reflections of world media causing enormous publicity for the university, and public awareness. The American agricultural economy would greatly benefit by the production and burning of soy wax candles instead of paraffin candles. For example, by replacing paraffin wax with soy wax, an estimated 60 million pounds of soybeans with today's measure would be required for annual candle production. This requirement will have a direct economic impact on soybean farmers as well as a health and environmental impact in this country.
Publications
- Massoudi, Ruhullah and Warrington, Christen (2007). The Hot Debate Surrounding the Burning Question of Whether or Not Vegetable Oil Waxes Burn Cleaner and Longer Than Paraffin Waxes, Southeastern Regional Meeting (October 24 to 27, 2007). Massoudi, Ruhullah and Lalmansingh, Jared (2008). Environmental Pollution by Some Candles, 60th Southeastern Regional Meeting (SERMACS) ( November 12 to 15, 2008). Hamidi, A., and Massoudi, R.(2009). Hazardous Emissions by Some Types of Candles. 15th Biennial Research Symposium, Atlanta, GA, (March 28 to April 1, 2009). Massoudi, Ruhullah and Hamidi, Amid (2009)., Emission Products of Petroleum-based Candles. ACS National meeting, Washington, DC, (August 16 to 20, 2009). Program Selection: Division of Environmental Chemistry; ACS National Meeting, Washington, DC, August 16 to 20, 2009. Massoudi, Ruhullah and Hamidi, Amid (2009). Romantic, Candle-lit Dinners: An Unrecognized Source of Indoor Air Pollution. National Meeting News Blast, 2009 the American Chemical Society
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: During this period, we have tested two classes of candles to determine whether any type has produced unwanted hazardous emissions for human health while burning. This is an important goal for the objectives of the project which determines the safety of various candles for the consumers. The candles were burned in a controlled chamber and the emission products were collected and analyzed for identifications. The burning products were passed through an ampoule of coconut charcoal, at a rate of 0.2 liters per minute capable of trapping all organic materials that produce from burning. The adsorbed materials were dissolved in 2 milliliters of carbon-disulfide and 2 micro liters of the solution was injected in the GC/MS column to be analyzed. The capillary column used for this purpose was from J&W with specification of stationary phase: DB-5HT; 15m x 0.250 mm x 0.10 mm; -60 degrees Celcius to 400 degrees celcius. The column temperature was programmed to run from 50 degrees celcius to 300 degrees celcius with a rate of 10 degrees celcius per minute for a total run time of 47 minutes. Before running the real samples the system was tested for the solvent, CS2, to be sure various peaks in chromatograms were not coming from its injection. The resultant chromatograms were analyzed using a NIST library to determine all possible chemicals for the specified sample. PARTICIPANTS: Ruhullah Massoudi, principal investigator. Five undergraduate students have been involved with this project at different times: 1.Shauntay Brown undergraduate biology student 2.Saba Hamidi undergraduate physics student 3.Christen Warrington undergraduate chemistry (education) student 4.Shaquetta Oliver undergraduate biology student 5.Jared Lalmansingh undergraduate physics student 6.Roanna Lalmansingh undergraduate student 7.Amid Hamidi undergraduate chemistry student, currently working as alumni of SC-State. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for the project could be the entire population of the world. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The direct impact of the project is to eliminate any health hazard substances that might affect human health causing ill health or possibly sometimes death due to complications that would result from inhalation of hazardous materials. A presentation of the results during the National Meeting of American Chemical Society, ACS, was enormous and was reported all over the world by more than 500 news media. Knowledge of the possible vaporized substance from specified candles would allow us to choose the candles that would not produce unwanted materials that can cause either material or health hazard to human beings. Economically, regular candles produce carbon which is ruining the furniture, walls, clothes, which is expensive to clean and remove. Also the healthy individuals in our society would be more productive with the least expenditures for medical purposes which are very important economically.
Publications
- Massoudi, R. and Hamidi, A.(2009). Emission products of petroleum based candles, Emerging Environmental Technologies towards a Cleaner and Sustainable Society, ACS Washington, DC.
- Massoudi, R. and Hamidi, A.(2009).HAZARDOUS EMISSIONS BY SOME TYPES OF CANDLES, The American Chemical Society publication.
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: During this period, we have tested two categories of candles candle to determine whether any type produce unwanted hazardous products for human health during burning. This is an important goal for the objectives of this project which determines the safety of various candles for the consumers. For this purpose we have made a special chamber that was used to burn candles, the burning products were passed through an ampoule of coconut charcoal at a rate of 0.2 liters per minute to trap all organic substances. The adsorbed materials were dissolved in 2 milliliters of carbon-disulfide and 2 micro liters of this solution was injected in GC/MS column to be analyzed. The capillary column used for this purpose was from J&W with specification of "stationary phase: DB-5HT; 15m x 0.250 mm x 0.10 mm; -60 degrees Celcius to 400 degrees celcius." the column temperature was programmed to run from 50 degrees celcius to 300 degrees celcius with a rate of 10 degrees celcius per minute for a total run time of 47 minutes. Before running the real samples, the system was tested for the solvent, CS2, to be sure if it was pure and did not produce peaks to be confused with those that formed from the burning of candles. The resultant chromatograms were analyzed using a NIST library to determine all possible peaks for specified sample. PARTICIPANTS: Ruhullah Massoudi, Principal Investigator and Amid Hamidi an undergraduate chemistry student worked on the project. The PI has been on continuous contact with George Papas of Lumi-Lite Co., inc., and Robert Moss of S.E.A. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for this project could be the entire population of the world. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The direct impact of this project is to eliminate any health hazard substances that might affect human health causing ill health or possibly sometimes death due to complications that would result from inhalation of hazardous materials. Knowledge of the possible vaporized substance from specified candles would allow us to choose those candles that would not produce unwanted materials that can cause either material or health hazard to human beings. Economically, regular candles produce carbon which is ruining the furniture, walls, cloths, which is expensive to clean and remove it. Therefore the overall impact of this project will be beneficial for entire population of the world, nations and governments to have healthy and productive generations.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: During the first part of the reporting period, we concentrated on analyzing four kind of candles, two of which are paraffin based and two others are from vegetable oils. In an effort to provide candle companies and consumers with more accurate means of deciding on the possibly preferred principle medium used in the production of wax and/or the potential hazards/benefits of vegetable oil and petroleum (paraffin) based waxes, vegetable oil and petroleum (paraffin) are being compared side-by-side with respect to their emissions and burn lives. The claim is made by some that vegetable oil candles are a safer and more economically and environmentally friendly alternative to paraffin candles. Lumi-Lite Candle Company, Incorporated has provided four different candles, all of which contain different wicks, to be tested in side-by-side comparisons. Of the four candles, candles 112006-1 & 2 are composed of paraffin wax using Exxon's 127 melting wax with wick types CD-4 & CD-10,
respectively. Candles 112006-3 & 4 are composed of vegetable oil using Cargill's C-3 Blend with wick types HTP-105 & HTP-1312, respectively. In the side-by-side laboratory testing it has been found that, of the candles sent by Lumi-Lite Candle Co., the candles from lot 112006-3 burn cleaner, with less dense black soot depositions. It has also been found that candles of lot 112006-1 burn slower, losing less grams of wax to burning within a period of an hour. While the hourly soot index of all four candles tends to be quite low in comparison to other common forms of emission, like vehicles and industrial factories, it should be duly noted that no candle could be burned without giving off soot. It should also be noted that while all candles give off at least small amounts of soot, which can possibly cause harm to person and property over a long period of time, these soot indexes are not comparable when considering the much higher hazardous potential to person and property with other
forms of emission, such as cigarette smoke. For the paraffin candles 112006-1 and 112006-2, sample two had a larger wick than sample one. Thus flame heights and consumption rates were greater for sample 2 than for sample 1. Likewise, the visible emissions for sample 2 were greater than sample 1. For the soy base candles, 112006-3 and 112006-4, sample 4 had a larger wick in comparison to sample 3. Thus flame heights, consumption rates and densitometer measurements for sample 4 were consistently greater than for sample 3.
PARTICIPANTS: Ruhullah Massoudi (PI/PD), professor of chemistry, worked at 25% release time during the academic year and full-time during summer. He has written this project, hired and trained students, provided methodology to do measurement, ordered materials, attended and presented in conferences. Shauntay Brown, an undergraduate biology student worked as a lab assistant 14 hours per week during academic year and 18 hours per week during summer. She has attended training sessions in the lab, cleaned and rearranged the lab for our purpose, and burned candles using densitometer measurements to obtain soot indexes and given reports. Saba Vadeghani, an undergraduate physics student worked as a lab assistant 14 hours per week during academic year. She attended training sessions in the lab, cleaned and rearranged the lab for our purpose, and have burned candles using densitometer measurements to obtain soot indexes and given reports. Christen Warrington, an undergraduate chemistry
(education) student worked full-time during summer. She attended training sessions in the lab, cleaned and rearranged the lab for our purpose, and burned candles using densitometer measurements to obtain soot indexes and given reports. Regular contacts are made with Robert Moss of SEA (the company that has extensive experience with candle testing) and compared our results with their data.
TARGET AUDIENCES: Our audiences are mostly scientist and students.
PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: The project was modified slightly to measure soot index because of its importance, and we are going to evaluate emissions shortly.
Impacts
Economically, clean and safer air quality on the one hand will dramatically reduce healthcare expenses, and on the other would improve working capacity and productivity of our citizens. Safety of our fellow citizens is the most important thought that we must observe and exercise in order to improve living conditions for all. It is our aim to analyze different candles and to determine which particular based candle and what kind of materials added in them are safer to be used. Therefore, the overall impact of this project will be beneficial for entire population of South Carolina, The USA and it's government for having healthy and productive citizens.
Publications
- Massoudi, R.and Warrinton, C, 2007. The Hot Debate Surrounding the Burning Question of Whether or Not Vegetable Oil Waxes Burn Cleaner and Longer Than Paraffin Waxes. Southeastern Regional Meeting.
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
Burning candles produce variety of vaporized materials which some of them could be hazardous to heath due to inhalation of the in closed areas. During this period we have ordered materials needed to carryout the experimentation in testing candles to verify if there are any differences between petroleum based products and soybean products. The candle materials comprises a large varieties to be tested, however we have ordered unscented candles of pure paraffin base and pure soybean base. These samples are supplied by Lumi-Lite Candle Co., Inc. to insure the purity and quoted accuracy. The lab that we are planning to work the experimentation should be setup in accordance with the OSHA recommendation and is currently under construction.
Impacts
Economically, clean and safer air quality on the one hand will dramatically reduce on health care expenses, and on the other would improve working capacity and productivity of our citizens. Safety of our fellow citizens is the most important thought that we must observe and exercise in order to improve living condition for all.. It is our aim to analyze different candles and determine which particular based candle and what kind of materials added in them is safer to be used. Therefore the overall impact of this project will be beneficial for entire population of South Carolina, The USA and it's government having healthy and productive citizens.
Publications
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