Six students from Shine Ue School in Mongolia won the Best in Region award for their investigation into the impact of air pollution on lung development of adolescents.
Researching air quality data in their city of Ulaanbaatar, students Temuulen Lkhagvasuren, Margad Munkhdelger, Amin-Erdene Vandandorj, Indranil Bazarragchaa, Doljinsuren Uranmandakh and Temulen Sukhbaatar identified two areas with differing levels of pollution – one high and one low. The team then invited students from a school in each area to take part in tests to ascertain whether there were differences in their physical health.
The team measured oxygen saturation using a fingertip pulse oximeter and peak expiratory flow using a spirometer, as well as height, weight and BMI. They found that despite the difference in air quality in the two areas, there were limited findings to support their theory that the poorer air quality would result in reduced lung capacity. They did however find that there was statistically significant data showing that students – particularly boys – were shorter in the area with poorer air quality. The increasing levels of air pollution in Ulaanbaatar led the team to conclude that all residents should consider installing air purifiers in their homes.
The judges were particularly impressed with the team's understanding of physiology and their robust statistical approach that built towards a conclusion that could act as the first steps towards making real change in relation to public health around the world.
Reflecting on the experience, the team’s leader, Indranil Bazarragchaa said: 'The best thing I experienced was going to the other part of town and feeling a whole new environment. Because from my perspective doing an investigation is not all about sitting in a lab analyzing, or the number statistics. For me, it was about the new knowledge and the experience that you got from the journey.'