Smartphone-linked bedside test for heat- and pesticide-related health risks in farmworkers
Official title: Development of point-of-care mobile health technology to reduce heat and pesticides-induced farmworker health disparity
Funded at University of North Carolina Charlotte · NIH-11325005 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A handheld smartphone-connected test to quickly detect pesticide exposure and early signs of kidney trouble for farmworkers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of North Carolina Charlotte NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlotte, United States) |
| Project start | March 7, 2024 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $515,137 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EB035083-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11325005 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adult farmworkers with regular heat and pesticide exposure who can provide small blood samples and use or allow use of a smartphone-linked testing device are ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without occupational pesticide or heat exposure, children, or anyone unwilling or unable to give blood samples or use a smartphone are unlikely to benefit from this study.
What this research studies
You would use a small nanosensor that connects to a smartphone to test a tiny blood sample on the spot for signs of pesticide poisoning (changes in acetylcholinesterase) and early kidney injury (creatinine). The team has a lab-validated prototype and will refine the device, the phone app, and the test chemistry based on real-world samples. Field testing will involve collecting blood samples and health information from farmworkers in agricultural settings to improve accuracy and usability. The project also aims to deliver fast results and health guidance so workers can get timely care or referrals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the device could give faster, cheaper on-site results so farmworkers get earlier treatment and prevention advice for pesticide effects and kidney problems.
How similar studies have gone: Laboratory and pilot studies of smartphone-linked sensors and point-of-care creatinine or acetylcholinesterase assays have shown promise, but larger field validation in farmworker populations is limited.
Where this research is happening
-
University of North Carolina Charlotte
Charlotte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Jun — University of North Carolina Charlotte
- Study coordinator: Wang, Jun
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.