Developing and Deploying a Real-Time Laser Sensor for Quantifying Benzene Exposures

Funding Year: 2016

Research Areas: Climate, Public Health

Regions: North America

Exposure to benzene, an air pollutant found in sources like gasoline, cigarette smoke, and many industrial emissions, is associated with adverse health effects including cancer and anemia. However, benzene is not currently measured in a way that assesses peoples exposure levels in their environment, homes and workplaces in real-time.

This project will develop a real-time benzene sensor using laser technology and deploy it to measure the concentrations and sources of benzene across California. By successfully deploying and eventually commercializing these sensors, the project will identify and help reduce key sources of benzene in the environment.

Learn more about the Environmental Venture Projects grant program and other funded projects.

Principal Investigators:

Rob Jackson, Michelle and Kevin Douglas Provostial Professor and senior fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment and the Precourt Institute for Energy

Ronald Hanson, Clarence J. and Patricia R. Woodard Professor of Mechanical Engineering and affilate at the Precourt Institute for Energy