Smart home sensors and on-site analysis to find and fix harmful indoor vapor leaks
Integrated IoT Sensing and Edge Computing Coupled with a Bayesian Network Model for Exposure Assessment and Targeted Remediation of Vapor Intrusion
Using small air sensors and local data processing to quickly spot volatile chemical vapors and guide targeted cleanups to protect people living near contaminated urban sites.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wayne State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11122271 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part, small air sensors would be placed in and around your home and neighborhood to monitor volatile organic compound (VOC) vapors in real time. Local edge computers process the sensor data quickly so problems can be identified faster than with traditional lab sampling. Researchers will combine those readings with house surveys, groundwater and soil information, and maps to build a smart Bayesian model that estimates vapor intrusion risk. They will also test a new adsorption material to capture VOCs in targeted locations as a complement to conventional cleanup methods.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living or working in homes or buildings in Detroit and similar urban areas near known VOC-contaminated or Superfund sites, especially where vapor intrusion is suspected, would be ideal participants.
Not a fit: Those who live far from VOC sources or do not spend time in monitored buildings are unlikely to see direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could give faster, more targeted detection and cleanup of indoor vapors to reduce residents' exposure to harmful VOCs.
How similar studies have performed: Low-cost sensors and modeling have previously helped identify indoor air issues, but combining real-time edge sensing with Bayesian exposure models and targeted adsorption cleanup is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Detroit, United States
- Wayne State University — Detroit, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wager, Yongli — Wayne State University
- Study coordinator: Wager, Yongli
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 below.