Dense Urban Environment Dosimetry for Actionable Information and Recording Exposure (DUE DARE)
Abstract
In dense urban environments, there is currently a lack of accurate actionable information on atmospheric composition on fine spatial and temporal scales. We propose a holistic sensing environment that can measure all high priority chemicals. In dense urban environments, there can be rapid spatial and temporal changes in atmospheric composition due to the wide variety of localized emissions. The environment can have a substantial impact on the physiological and psychological state of a Soldier, and consequently on their performance and cognitive abilities. It is critical that commanders are empowered with the relevant actionable information to protect the well-being of their Soldiers and avoid the degradation in their performance. Our approach uses a state-of-the-art sensor network involving fixed and mobile sensors with real-time cross calibration and uncertainty estimation. Comprehensive wearable biometric sensors are used to characterize the real-time human response to the composition of the air, making the human response an integral part of the sensor network. The holistic sensor network incorporates embedded real-time machine learning to increase functionality in providing actionable insights for the active human participants. The active human participants are cyclists in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Cyclists who are often cycling in hot and humid conditions and exposed to diverse environments with a wide variety of pollutants. Our goal is to provide actionable insights with the cyclists as surrogates for Service members. We will be collecting comprehensive individual exposure on all atmospheric components between 15 and 500 amu and airborne aerosols/particulates/pollen/mold from 10 nm to 100 microns in size. Simultaneously, we will be monitoring a wide range of biometrics with wearable devices to evaluate performance. Some of the air sensors will be mounted on the bike, and a more comprehensive suite of observations will be measured from an electric car following the cyclists. The wide range of environments include a diversity of pollution sources, including cement plants whose burning is a surrogate for camp burn pits. These comprehensive environmental and biometric measurements will allow us to develop best practice recommendations for exposure dosimetry and improve our understanding of how performance changes as a function of different environmental threat conditions, thus providing insights into which environmental pollutants/factors most affect performance and are thus the biggest threat. Typically, the environmental threat is a composite threat involving heat, humidity, and airborne chemicals and particulates. Our goal is to associate exposure to health outcomes and performance, contributing to an assessment for health, readiness, and performance, providing accurate actionable information on environmental dosimetry for atmospheric composition on fine spatial and temporal scales in dense urban environments.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 29, 2018
- Source ID
- W81XWH1810400
Entities
People
- David Lary
Organizations
- United States Army
- University of Texas at Dallas