UC, Marietta College in collaboration with the community is working with a project, “Communities Actively Researching Exposure Study (CARES)” that focuses on the impact of air pollution on childhood health, in the southeastern Ohio region specifically on the impact of manganese. This study is headed by Erin Haynes, DrPH of UC’s Environmental Health Department.
The heavy metal manganese is chiefly utilized in the manufacture of fertilizers, batteries, aluminum alloys, and steel. Also to decrease engine knocking, manganese is added to unleaded gasoline during combustion.
To enhance this study, William Heineman, a chemistry professor and Lan Papautsky, an associate professor of UC engineering developed a lab-on-a-chip sensor that is capable of measuring heavy metals. Haynes is collaborating with the two professors to create the first-in-use lab-on-a-chip sensor that allows research people to rapidly measure manganese metal present in humans from a few blood droplets. This innovative disposable sensor is anticipated to be cost-effective and is developed using more environment-friendly components.
Papautsky stated that the working electrode of this sensor is constructed using bismuth thin film replacing standard mercury, dangerous to both the environment and humans. In addition, this technique is child-friendly because it requires only some drops of blood to provide precise measurement of manganese when compared to traditional blood tests, he added.
According to Haynes, this sensor will serve as a vital tool for obtaining information without causing unwanted trouble to participants involved in the study. In 2012, the sensor is anticipated to get completed for primary field testing. Before applying it for the CARES study, the sensor will be subjected for testing its effectiveness and safety in prevailing blood samples of human.
Source: http://healthnews.uc.edu/