Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

This proposal is for a "mobile laboratory" to investigate air quality indoors. The proposed equipment replaces a previous model designed by the applicant that is no longer available. It consists of seven instruments mounted on a wheeled platform. It will measure important pollutants including ozone, nitrogen oxides, aerosols, and carbon dioxide. It will also measure temperature, relative humidity, and the intensity of light. The mobile laboratory will be placed in indoor locations such as houses and offices, where it will acquire measurements over days or weeks. These measurements will provide important information about how common activities such as cooking and cleaning impact air quality and human health. In addition to advancing the research field of indoor chemistry, planned studies using the mobile laboratory will provide information that can empower Canadians to improve indoor air quality in their residences and workplaces. Specifically, a planned collaborative study will result in freely available information (e.g., posted on the internet) containing simple, affordable steps to reduce chemical exposure risk during activities such as cooking and cleaning.