Environmental Public Health Journal 2015 | BCIT Institutional Repository

Environmental Public Health Journal 2015

Accuracy of swimming pool test kits
Background: Pool Chemistry is important to allow those using it to feel comfortable through pool water being physically clean and biologically safe. Operators and health inspectors use test kits to ensure that pool water chemistry is correct and will not cause irritation or problems to both the patrons and the pool recirculation system. This study investigates the accuracy of the three commonly used pool test kits available in the market (Taylor, HACH, and ColorQ). Parameters tested are Free Available Chlorine (FAC), Total Chlorine (TC), and pH. Methods: Using artificial pool water with known concentrations of FAC, TC, and pH, 30 samples were taken for the three different parameter from the three test kits. The indicated concentrations and pH on the test kits were then recorded and used to compare with the known standards. Results were analyzed using the statistical software NCSS. One sample t-tests were performed to indicate whether or not the test kit as accurate in reading different parameters of pool chemistry. Results: Taylor Test Kit: Readings for FAC (2.6ppm) showed 2.4ppm, TC (2.7ppm) showed 2.43ppm, and pH (7.1) showed 7.1. HACH Test Kit: Readings for FAC (2.8ppm) showed 3.5ppm, TC (3.0ppm) showed 3.5ppm, and pH (7.1) showed 6.97. ColorQ Test Kit: Readings for FAC (2.7ppm) showed 3.0ppm, TC (3.0ppm) showed 3.0ppm, and pH (7.0) showed 6.96. Conclusion: All three test kits have accurate readings for pH levels. However, the test kits do not provide accurate readings for FAC and TC which would make it difficult to calculate CC in pool waters. Although the FAC and TC readings are inaccurate, they are able to provide operators and health inspectors with brief information regarding pool water chemistry., Project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Health, British Columbia Institute of Technology, 2015., Peer-reviewed article, Published., Peer reviewed, Swimming pools, Chlorine, pH, Taylor, ColorQ, HACH, Pool Test Kit
Kimchi
Background: The increasing number of kimchi consumers in Metro Vancouver raises food safety concerns over the kimchi being out in the ambient temperature. Although kimchi is known to have lactic acid pro-ducing bacteria as its normal flora, environmental health officers have no specific reference to the change in pH with respect to time. The purpose of this study was to understand the rate at which kimchi ferments at different temperatures and determine whether kimchi is a hazardous food or not. Methods: Freshly made kimchi at researcher’s residence were divided into two groups; 4 oC and 25 oC. 30 samples for each set with equal amounts were left at these two different conditions. PH and temperature were measured at the time of separation and for three weeks weekly using the Waterproof Palm pH analyzer. Results: There was a steeper decline in the 25 oC set compared to 4 oC. It took some time between 22 hours and 34 hours for 25 oC set to show a drop in pH. On the other hand, 4 oC set did not show a significant decline in pH within the time period of the experiment., Peer-reviewed article, Published., Project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Health, British Columbia Institute of Technology, 2015., Peer reviewed, Kimchi, pH, Waterproof Palm pH analyzer, Fermentation, Acidification