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EH&E scientists utilize state-of-the-art measurement and modeling methods to evaluate human exposure to various air pollutants in indoor and outdoor settings. Our staff determines the causes and impacts of pollutant emissions from point, area, and mobile sources to assess their effect on local and regional communities and identify practical solutions to these complex ambient air quality issues. We frequently present our innovations in monitoring, modeling, exposure assessment and risk characterization at scientific conferences, in peer-reviewed journals and public forums.
Outdoor Air: Traffic-Related Pollutants
EH&E was retained to evaluate concerns about the effect of traffic from a planned commercial development on air quality in a densely populated residential area of greater Boston, MA. We conducted a year-long, community-based monitoring study of traffic-related pollutants including black carbon and nitrogen dioxide. Statistical models were fit to the data and used to predict changes in local air quality associated with traffic anticipated to result from the development. EH&E communicated the study’s findings to the commercial developers and government agencies, and presented the findings at two scientific conferences.
Indoor Air: Asthma Triggers
For multiple studies, EH&E determined room-specific indoor air pollutant levels using advanced indoor air quality models such as CONTAM, a NIST-developed multi-zone indoor air quality and ventilation analysis program. One study evaluated the exposure to asthma triggers – such as cat allergens, tobacco smoke, fungal spores and respiratory viruses – with and without whole-house filtration systems. Our expert modeling analyses using CONTAM have advanced the field of indoor air quality research and have been incorporated into three peer-reviewed manuscripts and several scientific conference presentations.
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