SBIR-STTR Award

The goal of this project is to develop a new electrochemical paper-based analytical device (ePAD) for measurement of Cu, Fe, Ni, Co, and Mn in airborne particulate matter (PM). PM represents one of the most significant environmental health threats to people in both developed and developing countries as a result of exposure in indoor, outdoor, and occupational settings. The World Health Organization currently lists PM exposure as the 9th leading cause of morbidity and mortality, worldwide. Traditionally PM exposure hazards are quantified by the total particle mass but toxicity is often better correlated with composition. As a result, there is a strong interest in measuring PM composition. Present methods for composition measurement rely heavily on traditional analytical techniques such as Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry. These instruments are large, expensive, and complicated. And as a result, samples cost anywhere from $100/filter for a single metal to $400 for a full suite of elements. Furthermore, all testing is done in remote laboratories meaning a delay of weeks to months between sample collection and results. Economically, fast and inexpensive assessment of metal pollutants would make exposure and risk assessment more efficient and timely. Additionally, because health-based exposure studies (i.e., epidemiology) are often limited by sample size, more measurements would enable researchers to link specific exposures to the myriad health effects of toxic metals. Access Sensor Technologies is developing a suite of products centered around the low cost ePAD sensors and small, inexpensive personal sampling systems. For this Phase I project, we will 1) develop the chemistry to measure Fe, Co, Cu, Ni, and Mn using cathodic stripping voltammetry and 2) create a field module that integrates all of the electronic elements and the ePAD for simplified customer operation. Neither of these steps has been achieved previously but are essential for the future of this product. If successful, ePAD sensors will also have application beyond particulate air pollution, as the sensor paradigm is amenable for water, soil, and food analyses as well.

Public Health Relevance Statement:


Public Health Relevance:
This project seeks to develop a new inexpensive sensor using electrochemical paper-based analytical devices (ePADs) for determination of toxic metals in airborne particulate matter. This sensor will allow detection of human exposure to toxic metals that are associated with both morbidity and mortality worldwide.

Project Terms:
Air; Air Pollution; Atmosphere; planetary Atmosphere; Be element; Beryllium; Biologic Assays; Bioassay; Assay; Biological Assay; C element; Carbon; Chemistry; Colorado; Under-Developed Nations; Under-Developed Countries; Third-World Nations; Third-World Countries; Less-Developed Nations; Less-Developed Countries; Developing Nations; Developing Nation; Developing Country; Developing Countries; Electrodes; Electronics; Elements; Environmental Health Science; Environmental Health; environmental testing; Ecological Monitoring; Ecologic Monitoring; Environmental Monitoring; epidemiological; epidemiologic; Epidemiology; Evolution; Food Analyses; Food Analysis; Future; Goals; Head; Health; Heating; Modern Man; Man (Taxonomy); Human; H element; Hydrogen; Laboratories; Metals; Methods; Morbidity; Morbidity - disease rate; Mortality; Mortality Vital Statistics; Paper; Reticuloendothelial System, Serum, Plasma; Plasma Serum; Blood Plasma; Plasma; Printing; Public Health; public health medicine (field); Reagent; Researchers; Investigators; Research Personnel; Hospital Risk Reporting; Risk Management; Running; computer program/software; Software; Computer software; Soil; Solutions; Mass Spectrum Analyses; Mass Spectrum; Mass Spectroscopy; Mass Spectrometry; Mass Photometry/Spectrum Analysis; Mass Spectrum Analysis; Tablets; Technology; Testing; Time; Universities; Hydrogen Oxide; Water; World Health Organization; Measures; Occupational Health; Risk Assessment; base; sensor; improved; specimen collection; sample collection; Phase; Link; Chemicals; Measurement; Sample Size; Collaborations; Industrialized Nations; Industrialized Countries; Developed Nations; Developed Nation; Developed Country; Developed Countries; Exposure to; Deposit; Deposition; tool; instrument; Pollution; Scientist; Complex; Pattern; Techniques; LOINC Axis 4 System; System; Particulate; Occupational; interest; particle; Performance; hazard; pollutant; Toxicities; Toxic effect; novel; Devices; Reporting; Position; Positioning Attribute; Sampling; portability; air sampling; Address; APM; Airborne Particulate Matter; Data; Detection; Monitor; Process; developmental; Development; Particulate Matter; cost; toxic metal; Coupled; innovative; innovate; innovation; man's; man; human exposure; exposed human population; public health relevance; product development; operation

The goal of this project is to develop a new sampling and analysis system combining two new technologies. A lightweight ultrasonic sampler will be paired with an electrochemical paper-based analytical device (ePAD) for measurement of metals in airborne particulate matter (PM). Exposure to particulate matter (PM) air pollution ranks as the 5th leading risk factor for human morbidity and mortality worldwide - outpacing the health risks of all other environmental hazards combined. Although PM is a complex mixture of many potentially toxic compounds, the transition and heavy metal content present in PM is thought to play a significant role in toxicity. The disease burden posed by PM is supported by strong epidemiologic links between population exposure and many forms of ill health (e.g., cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, neurological disorders, and cancer). Despite these scientific links, little is known about individual (i.e., personal) air pollution exposures because existing technologies for assessing personal PM exposure are expensive, burdensome, and complicated. Furthermore, PM sample analysis techniques (especially for transition and heavy metals) are prohibitively high ($100s/sample) and require the use of a centralized laboratory and specialized staff. Access Sensor Technologies has a vision to change this sampling and measurement paradigm by providing low-cost, high- performance tools for quantifying personal exposure to PM toxicants, with an emphasis on metals. The global market for air pollution monitoring exceeds $4B; we seek to leverage this market with a disruptive technology than can revolutionize the state-of-the-art in personal exposure monitoring. During Phase I, the basic analytic chemistry using electrochemical paper-based analytic devices (ePADs) and sample processing componentry for measuring metals were developed and demonstrated. During Phase II, we will develop a product line that includes a wearable (silent, lightweight, compact) air sampler, a streamlined module for chemical analysis, and the software/interface necessary for mobile-phone operation and communications; this "˜total analysis system' will streamline the process of exposure and risk assessment while dramatically lowering cost. We will validate this system through laboratory and field studies against gold-standard methods. The outcome of this project will be products designed to penetrate research and consulting markets in industrial hygiene and environmental monitoring, with a long-term goal of offering a low-cost consumer product.For this Phase II project, we will 1) Integrate AST's proprietary air sampling technology with a streamlined analytic kit for in-field filter ex-traction and metals analysis 2) Develop an inexpensive and disposable sensor for rapid, simultaneous quantification of multiple met-als from a single air sampling filter and 3) Demonstrate product viability through field testing with early-stage commercial partners. If successful, we will also have product applications beyond particulate air pollution, as the sensor paradigm is amenable for water, soil, and food analyses as well. There is an urgent global need for simpler cheaper analysis of the world around us.

Public Health Relevance Statement:
Project Narrative Exposure to particulate matter (PM) air pollution ranks as the 5th leading risk factor for human morbidity and mortality worldwide 1 - outpacing the health risks of all other environmental hazards combined. Easy, low-cost analysis of PM is presently not possible especially for metals composition. We propose developing a low-cost, easy to use total analysis system for the collection and analysis of toxic metals present in PM.

Project Terms:
Aerosols; Air Pollution; Anodes; neoplasm/cancer; malignancy; Malignant Tumor; Cancers; Malignant Neoplasms; cardiovascular disorder; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cathodes; Chemistry; Analytic Chemistry; Analytical Chemistry; Communication; cost assessment; assess cost; Cost Analyses; Cost Analysis; Digestion; Elements; Environmental Health Science; Environmental Health; environmental testing; Ecological Monitoring; Ecologic Monitoring; Environmental Monitoring; epidemiological; epidemiologic; Epidemiology; Feedback; Food Analyses; Food Analysis; Goals; Gold; Health; History; Recording of previous events; Laboratories; Lung diseases; lung disorder; Respiratory System Disorder; Respiratory System Disease; Respiratory Disease; Pulmonary Disorder; Pulmonary Diseases; Metals; Methods; nervous system disorder; neurological disease; Neurological Disorders; Neurologic Disorders; Nervous System Diseases; Paper; Play; Poisons; toxic compound; poison; Toxic Substance; Toxic Chemical; Publications; Scientific Publication; Reference Standards; Research; Risk; Risk Factors; Role; social role; Computer software; Software; Soil; Systems Analysis; Systems Analyses; Technology; Testing; Traction; visual function; Sight; Vision; Hydrogen Oxide; Water; Environmental Hazards; Generations; Industrial Hygiene; Industrial Health; Measures; Risk Assessment; base; human morbidity; human mortality; sensor; improved; Phase; Link; Chemicals; Susceptibility; Predisposition; Failure; Individual; Measurement; Funding; Exposure to; light weight; lightweight; tool; Heavy Metals; Techniques; System; Particulate; Consult; consumer product; field study; field test; field learning; field based data; Performance; success; toxicant; Toxic effect; Toxicities; Laboratory Study; Transition Elements; transition metal; new technology; novel technologies; Devices; Human Resources; personnel; Manpower; Sampling; air sampling; Car Phone; Mobile Phones; health disparity; disparity in health; Complex Mixtures; Address; Ultrasonics; Ultrasonic; Airborne Particulate Matter; airborne particulate; Data; Collection; Monitor; Process; Particulate Matter; NIEHS; National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; cost; years of life lost to disease; years of life lost to disability; disease burden; burden of disease; burden of illness; designing; design; toxic metal; Outcome; Population; innovation; innovative; innovate; multidisciplinary; real world application; operation; personal exposure monitor