The construction sector has always had a significant influence on CO₂ footprints in a given area (Pomponi, 2021). However, there are no recent studies quantifying the effect of construction activities on localized CO₂ concentrations. Previous research conducted in the early 1990s has shown that construction increases CO₂ concentrations by over 11% (Mazria, 2018). However, this research was done over three decades ago, and since then, CO₂ concentrations have increased globally over 40%, necessitating updated measurements. My research group and I will investigate construction sites of various degrees in the Puget Sound region to determine the effect of construction activities on local CO₂ concentrations. Preliminary data has shown an increase of 140 ppm (±8 ppm) in CO₂ concentration when implementing a method of measuring CO₂ concentrations in regions of high and low construction activity within urban, suburban, and rural areas. This research is key to understanding the health implications of the increased construction within the Puget Sound region and its effects on our ecosystems.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, many students have participated in online learning. Online students spend many hours every day studying at home in indoor spaces that lack ventilation and may have hazardous air quality. Prior research conducted by Tyler Jacobsen et al, (2019) reveals that CO₂ concentrations over 1,000 parts per million (ppm) can increase physiological stress and lower cognitive abilities. The goal of this project was to determine if the CO₂ levels in the at-home study environment of a student conducting online learning are higher than those of a student conducting in-person learning during study times. I predicted that if a student participates in online learning, then the CO₂ levels in their study environment will be higher than those in the study environment of a student conducting in-person learning during school hours (8 am-3 pm), but the levels will be similar during homework hours (4 pm-5 pm). A CO₂ air monitor collected data in the study rooms of an online learning student and an in-person learning student. Over several days, I recorded data every hour from 8 am to 5 pm, resulting in a time series showing CO₂ concentrations throughout a school day. Preliminary data reveals that the online student’s room consistently exceeds 1,000 ppm and varies greatly throughout the day, while the in-person student’s room remains below 1,000 ppm until they arrive home at 4 pm, at which point levels increase significantly. I only observed two locations during this quarter-long research study in General Chemistry and I need to collect data at more locations to determine if this study’s findings are representative of online learning versus in-person learning as a whole. Findings may be useful to educators when they are deciding if online education is a viable option for students in the future.