We all live in big cities where pollution is constantly released in the environment, having a detrimental effect on human health. Scientists have, from a long time, examined air pollution to better understand how the contaminants present in the air affect our health. In order to achieve this recently they have created a unit known as ‘MicroPEM’ that will measure the amount of pollution its wearer is breathing.
This unit, created by scientists from RTI International, is a small device that can be worn by an individual while performing his/her various tasks. Apart from calculating the pollutant content of the surrounding atmosphere, it is also able to observe the different types of bodily activities performed by the wearer with the help of built in accelerometers.
Earlier the devices that were used to check air pollution, collected data and gave information only about the types of pollutants present in the air and how they could harm human health, but, this portable device also measures the effect that different types of physical activities such as sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs or sweeping, can have on the amount of contaminants that are breathed in. Finally, after the experiment was conducted and the data was calculated, the researchers were able to precisely analyze the breathing rates that escort the different activities. This record is then combined with the record of the pollutants present at that time along with the subjects’ physical activities.
These new monitoring devices will not only give more accurate data as far as measuring air pollution is concerned, but is safe to worn by both children and adults.
Via: Gizmag
