The Effects of Acids on Molds

525 Words2 Pages

There is inadequate research/information on molds and how they are affected by acids. There is not sufficient information on the elimination or prevention of molds on household and grocery items. To test possible solutions, the growth of mold will be examined using different acids to help keep the mold at a low quantity. Two different substances, one with a high acidity and one with a low acidity, will be used along with water as our “mold repellants”. At the conclusion of each trial, each acid’s ability to prevent mold growth will be documented. Conducting this experiment will benefit the scientific world because it researches a problem that has not been thoroughly solved. Perhaps a way to prevent mold from growing can be developed with further study. This experiment will serve as a beginning to what could possibly become a great discovery. The results of this experiment will be beneficial to scientists and could possibly serve as a baseline concept for mold prevention and influence further experimentation. Every acid has a different strength. The power of each acid determines where it is ranked in terms of its acidity. Generally, acids with a higher acidity can disintegrate more matter than an acid with a lower acidity. In this experiment, the acid’s ability to stop mold growth will be tested. The more acidic a certain acid is, the more likely it is to have a destructive effect on objects and matter. This is why it is predicted that the stronger acid will keep the mold growth to a minimum. The weaker acid is predicted to prevent only some of the mold from growing. The control group, which will be treated with water, is not predicted to control any of the mold development. Molds typically grow in damp, warm environments. They c... ... middle of paper ... ...Health Topics. Washington, D.C.: Occupational Safety & Health Administration Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/molds/ Nave, R. (n.d.). Acids. In Atlanta, GA: GSU. Retrieved from http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/chemical/acid.html Ophardt, C. (2003). Acids. In Virtual Chembook. Elmhurst, IL: Elmhurst College. Retrieved from http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/181acids.html Ophardt, C. (2003). ph scale. In Virtual Chembook. Elmhurst, IL: Elmhurst College. Retrieved from http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/184ph.html CDC. (2009). Mold-general information. In CDC. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm Mold allergy. In (2013). San Diego, CA: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Retrieved from http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/allergies/mold-allergy.aspx

Open Document