Name: Shanen Agnas

Section: STEM 12 - Einstein

Topic Proposal

Rationale/Importance of the Topic

The chosen topic for the proposal is "The efficacy of 'apog' powder, white vinegar, and water
mixture on termites dwelling in wooden walls on quarantine facilities." This experiment will be
associated with the specified matter regarding the inadequacy of decent facilities for those
affected by the COVID-19 virus, whereas the experimentation will be beneficial for improving
and strengthening the wooden materials used in the construction of the said facilities. This
research is related to Architecture as it also revolves around construction and design of
materials that are essential for building a facility. Termites are the usual problem among
establishments and infrastructures that are made of wood. In an article written by Cartmell, P.
(2017, February 21), he asserted that termites infesting wooden structures could consume 2- by
4-inch lumber for an average of 5 months. Accordingly, the evident defects on wooden
structures will be visible between three to eight years after the infestation of the meant pests. In
addition, numerous studies about the termination of termites were conducted, and several
abundant investigations employ consuming expensive chemicals and components that
countries, particularly the Philippines, are scarcely available for access.

For the purpose of developing inexpensive thus durable quarantine facilities, this study will be
accurate for the extent of the experiment. As stated by Cosalan, M. F. (2017, January 7), the
natives of the Philippines would chew a sliced betel nut, a seed from Areca catechu, covered
with "apog" of slaked lime powder, then wrapped in betel leaves. This combination is called
"nganga" and is a traditional culture of natives in the South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Pacific
countries. The slaked lime powder, generally known as "apog," ingredient of "nganga" is readily
accessible in wet markets and several households in the Philippines. In addition, the "apog"
powder, mixed with white vinegar, and water will be applied on slab foundations and additional
wooden materials before the construction of facilities. This will improve the durability and
lifespan of the materials for constructing facilities. According to Britannica, T. Editors of
Encyclopedia (2019), the active ingredient found in limestone is calcium carbonate. Likewise,
roasting the calcium carbonate will form calcium oxide, then adding a water solution to the
calcium oxide will produce slaked lime or calcium hydroxide. On the other hand, white vinegar is
composed of acetic acid and water.

This study is significant for constructing new quarantine or COVID-19 facilities as it will further
enhance the quality of the wooden materials used in the installation. The pandemic has been
affecting people globally for almost two years, and healthcare institutions must ensure proper,
sufficient, and lasting spaces for COVID-19 patients. In the Philippines, most COVID-19 facilities
were poorly built, therefore, they needed full attention to providing better healthcare
establishments. As the majority of healthcare institutions lack insufficient funds to produce
adequate facilities, this experiment will benefit the area as it focuses on the development of
quarantine sites. The study aims to develop an essential, cheap, and effective treatment for the
infestation of termites in wooden surfaces of quarantine facilities. The simple termite remedy will
be applied using a brush or spraying bottle to the surfaces of the materials that will be used in
facilities. Additionally, the treatment is applicable to already built wooden establishments or
even furniture.

This treatment is simple to make and the materials used are commonly accessible in most
households or stores. The ingredients are also cheap and will save much money when building
strong, sturdy, and long-lasting wooden walls, structures, or furniture. This is important as the
majority of COVID-19 facilities used cheap plywoods and wooden slabs in the building. If the
mixture is applied to the elements, the structure of the facility will have less maintenance as the
termites will not damage the materials easily, especially if a colony of termites will occupy and
damage it in just a few months.

Research Gap

Several studies regarding the terminating, repelling, and exterminating termites were conducted,
hence, any related experimentations about the usage of "apog" or slaked lime powder, white
vinegar, and water mixture are not found. A study conducted by Arsyad, W. O. M., Efiyanti, L., &
Trisatya, D. R. (2020) used bamboo vinegar as a treatment in avoiding the infestation of
termites. They concluded that the phenolic acids and acid compounds produced in bamboo are
effective in preventing Coptotermes curvignathus (rubber termites). It connects to the chosen
project, but it is not directly associated with the aim of the study. Additionally, in an article written
by Fiorentino, J. (2016, September 8), she mentioned a few ways of eradicating ants. The
calcium carbonate in chalk repels ants if drawn in the entryway. Furthermore, studies and
information about the usage of calcium carbonate in limestones are non-existing. In addition to
that, adding white vinegar to "apog" powder is not proven in past research. The questions about
the efficacy of slaked lime powder in wood termites do not have definite answers yet as there is
an insufficient amount of resources.

Method or Procedure

This research will utilize the experimental type of quantitative research. The specific type is true
experimental research. This type of experimental quantitative research determines the causal
relationship among variables. The study will be best conducted with the use of this research.
The research or study will be conducted to test the effect of the mixture of slaked lime powder,
white vinegar, and water on the wooden materials for COVID-19 facilities. In this study, there
will be an independent variable and a dependent variable. This research project will utilize two
groups, the experimental group and the control group. First will be the experimental group,
where woods are applied with the termite treatment. This group will be composed of the
subjects that will be tested with the application of termite extermination. On the other hand, the
subjects in the control group will not receive any of the termite remedy. Moreover, the
experimental research that will be used in this study will include finding and reviewing related
literature about the chosen topic. Following is identifying the problem, which will be the dwelling
termites on wooden materials of quarantine facilities. Then, defining the variables, and
formulating a hypothesis. Afterward is creating the treatment for the experiment and assigning
subjects to the experimental or control groups. The last will be the analysis of results.

References:

Arsyad, W. O. M., Efiyanti, L., & Trisatya, D. R. (2020). Termiticidal Activity and Chemical
Components of Bamboo Vinegar against Subterranean Termites under Different Pyrolysis
Temperatures. Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology, 48(5), 641–650.
Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.5658/WOOD.2020.48.5.641

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopedia. (2019). Calcium - Compounds. Britannica. Retrieved

from https://www.britannica.com/science/calcium/Compounds

Cartmell, P. (2017, February 21). How Long Does It Takes for Termites to Do Damage?
HomeSteady. Retrieved from https://homesteady.com/12003517/how-long-does-it-take-for-
termites-to-do-damage

Cosalan, M. F. (2017, January 7). “Nganga”, a nut of Culture. HeraldExpress.

https://www.baguioheraldexpressonline.com/nganga-a-nut-of-culture-2/

Fiorentino, J. (2016, Sept. 8). Ants: 3 Ways To Keep Them Out! Cummings Termite & Pests.
Retrieved from https://cummingspest.com/ants-prevention/