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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Analyzing Spatial Learning and Prosocial Behavior in Mice Using the Barnes Maze and Damsel-in-Distress Paradigms

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The trapped human experiment.

R Huo¹, A Agapiou, V Bocos-Bintintan

¹Department of Chemistry, Centre for Analytical Science, Loughborough University, LE11 3TU, UK.

Journal of Breath Research

|September 13, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers studied metabolite plumes from humans in a collapsed building simulation. Carbon dioxide (CO2), ammonia (NH3), and acetone were identified as key markers for detecting trapped survivors.

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Published on: August 9, 2010

Area of Science:

Forensic Science
Environmental Monitoring
Biotechnology

Background:

Search and rescue operations in collapsed structures are challenging.
Early detection of survivors is critical for successful rescue outcomes.
Understanding human metabolite dispersal in simulated disaster environments is crucial for developing advanced detection technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

To observe and characterize metabolite plumes generated by humans in a simulated collapsed building environment.
To evaluate the effectiveness of various sensing technologies for detecting trapped individuals.
To identify reliable biological markers indicative of human presence in debris.

Main Methods:

Ten participants simulated being trapped in a collapsed building for up to 6 hours.
Breath, sweat, and skin metabolites were analyzed using multiple advanced sensing instruments, including GC-MS and ion mobility spectrometry.
Environmental parameters (O2, CO2, temperature, humidity) and participant physiological data were continuously monitored.

Main Results:

Carbon dioxide (CO2), ammonia (NH3), and acetone were confirmed as effective markers for detecting trapped humans.
Oxygen levels dropped to 19.1% and carbon dioxide rose to 1.6% in the simulated void.
Ammonia levels showed an unexpected suppression during participant sleep periods.

Conclusions:

The study successfully demonstrated the feasibility of monitoring human metabolite plumes in a simulated collapsed building.
CO2, NH3, and acetone show promise as key indicators for survivor location technologies.
Further research is needed to understand NH3 suppression during sleep and metabolite interactions with debris.