Michigan State University Engineering professor is developing wearable pollution monitors

Professor Andrew Mason, Ph.D. of the College of Engineering at Michigan State University (MSU) is collaborating with colleagues Dr. Xiangqun Zeng from Oakland University (OU) and Dr. J. Timothy Dvonch, Ph.D. from the University of Michigan (U of M) to develop potentially life-saving pollution detecting devices. The team is working on designing wearable devices that can provide data about air quality on the spot. The devices would analyze the air for dangerous particulates and researchers hope the data would not only help the user of the technology, but could also give scientists a better understanding of air quality in real time. The project is funded by a $2.78 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, according to a news release from MSU.

According to information from the World Health Organization, an estimated seven million people die annually from chronic breathing problems caused by air pollution. Current air quality analysis relies on monitoring systems that can take weeks to process. And as Dr. Mason explained, "That's helpful for epidemiological studies, but it doesn't tell you what's going on today."

The technology that the team is working on would provide instantly usable data. And because the design is meant to be incorporated into the types of technology that many people already wear, it has the potential to create a network of data collection. Dr. Mason elaborated, "The whole idea is that the technology we build would go into a future fitness watch. This would generate data at a level that's nowhere near available right now. We could deliver information back to the wearer and it would help researchers better understand the health impacts of air pollution."

This information could help users map out routes with the best air quality when planning a bike ride, for example, much like apps on phones that can tell us the best driving route based on current traffic conditions. The research team of Dr. Mason, Dr. Zeng, and Dr. Dvonch also hopes the information collected by these devices would provide scientists with enough data over time to help inform policy decisions by governments that could improve the quality of life for many, particularly for people of color, who, according to an Environmental Protection Agency report, are exposed over their lifetimes to significantly higher levels of particulate air pollution. 

One of the challenges faced by the research team is figuring out a way to measure fine particulates in the air using such a small device. Dr. Mason commented, "Knowing the size is very important. That determines how far a particle can penetrate into your body when you breathe. How deep will it make it into your lungs? Can it reach your bloodstream?"

Designing technology that can accurately answer those questions will transform the way we track fine particulate matter present in the air we breathe. Dr. Zeng explained, "Currently, there is no personal monitoring device available because of the complexity. The most exciting aspect of this project is its significance and innovation."

Dr. Dvonch emphasized the impact the project will have on the state, particularly as testing will be done in the Detroit area. "Not only will the developed monitoring devices from our project be applicable to assessing air pollution exposures across many parts of the globe, importantly our project will be able to test, evaluate and begin to address these particulate matter exposure issues right here in Michigan communities," he said.