Low-Cost Amperometric Ozone Monitor for Communities Affected by WildfiresThe rising frequency and severity of wildfires (forest fires, biomass fuel fires, etc.) in the United States is animportant environmental public health issue. Smoke produced during a wildfire travels far downwind, exposingroughly 2/3 of Americans to pollutants detrimental to ambient air quality. A vast majority of the medical andscientific effort is focused on the populations' exposure to fine particulate matter produced during these fires.However, ozone from wildfires can lead to many pulmonary health conditions and, unlike particulate matter,cannot be mitigated using HEPA filters or N95 masks. Despite the negative health effects there are few toolsavailable for monitoring ambient ozone concentrations during these natural disasters. Current detectionequipment is expensive, prone to interference, and sacrifices accuracy when made portable. Consequently,most communities have little information regarding their exposure and health officials are unable to assess thehealth impact of ozone produced from wildfires.Recent advancements in electrochemical gas sensor technology make them an appealing option to monitorambient air pollutants. Developments in screen printed electrode fabrication and research into non-aqueouselectrolytes have resulted in low-cost devices with performance comparable to bench top instruments. Interestin room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) as an alternative electrolyte media has made long-term remote gassensing more practical. Unlike aqueous electrolytes, RTILs have negligible vapor pressures and high stabilityso they do not dry out or take part in electrochemical reactions. This program will develop a thick-filmelectrochemical sensor utilizing RTILs for autonomous monitoring of ozone in communities affected bywildfires. Leveraging Giner's electrochemical sensor experience a low-cost ozone detector will be made widelyaccessible to the public for the first time. Giner's fully developed monitor will have a limit of detection (LOD) of10 ppb, linear range of 10-500 ppb, and prevent interference from other common wildfire gases. Acorresponding portable instrument will be developed to include electronics, battery power, and wireless datacommunication for use by health officials, researchers, and citizens within affected communities.
Public Health Relevance Statement: PROJECT NARRATIVE
The increasing frequency of wildfires exposes significant portions of the U.S. public to harmful levels of
ozone gas responsible for many acute and chronic health conditions. Commercially available equipment
for its detection is expensive and, consequently, many rural communities in high-risk areas are unable to
assess their exposure. Giner's low-cost handheld ozone detector would enable widespread monitoring of
ambient ozone concentrations, improving exposure awareness and informing public health policy.
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