Multiplexed sensors to monitor wood smoke exposure in wildland firefighters
Official title: Multiplexed Sensors for Biomonitoring of Wood Smoke Exposure among Wildland Firefighters
Funded at Washington State University · NIH-11388780 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A low-cost, smartphone-connected biosensor system tests firefighters for wood-smoke biomarkers to help protect their health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pullman, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $462,980 |
| NIH project number | 5R01OH012579-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11388780 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are wildland or structural firefighters who may be exposed to wood-smoke and related contaminants during duties.
✕Less likely to help
Non-firefighters or individuals not currently exposed to wildfire smoke would not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a portable, low-cost biosensor platform that can detect multiple biomarkers of wood-smoke exposure in wildland firefighters. The system will integrate with a smartphone for easy readout and seek to provide rapid, sensitive measurements at low concentrations. By identifying specific biomarkers, the effort hopes to improve monitoring of exposure and inform protective strategies for firefighters' cardiovascular and cancer risks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the sensor system could enable real-time exposure monitoring and better protection strategies for firefighters.
How similar studies have gone: Prior methods for exposure monitoring exist, but this project emphasizes a low-cost, smartphone-based multiplex approach that is still being developed.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington State University
Pullman, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Du, Dan (Annie) — Washington State University
- Study coordinator: Du, Dan (Annie)
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.