Towards Personal Exposures: How Technology Is Changing Air Pollution and Health Research
1College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Milam 20A, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.
Current Environmental Health Reports
|October 7, 2017
Summary
Emerging technologies like sensors and smartphones can unify personal air pollution exposure assessment. This integration aids population-based health research and identifies new prevention strategies for air quality impacts.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology
- Technology Assessment
Background:
- Current personal air pollution exposure assessment is divided between large-scale modeling and small-scale measurement.
- Existing methods limit comprehensive understanding and population-based health research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review emerging technologies for transforming personal air pollution exposure assessment.
- To explore how these technologies can enhance subsequent health research and prevention strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on emerging technologies (sensors, smartphones, big data models).
- Analysis of opportunities for unifying exposure assessment approaches.
- Identification of multi-disciplinary requirements for implementation.
Main Results:
- Emerging technologies offer potential to unify exposure assessment, improving long-term personal exposure prediction.
- Integration of sensors, smartphones, and big data models can enable population-based research.
- Technological advancements can identify exposure drivers and prevention opportunities.
Conclusions:
- Available technologies and data science advances can significantly improve personal air pollution exposure estimates for population studies.
- Addressing ethical, privacy, and logistical challenges is crucial for widespread implementation.
- Enhanced exposure assessment will advance understanding of air pollution's health impacts and prevention.
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