Opportunity Title:

Smartphone App to Predict Air Pollution Exposure

Research Area:

Air

EPA Lab/Center/Office:

National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL)

Location:

Durham, NC

Duration:

12 months

Brief Summary:

EPA's National Exposure Research Laboratory is developing iPhone Apps for an innovative and potentially high impact project. These apps will predict near real-time air pollution exposures to reduce exposures for susceptible individuals (e.g., asthmatics).

Opportunity Description:

This project will develop iPhone Apps to predict a person's exposure to air pollution. NERL researchers previously developed and published air pollution exposure models that are used for health studies. For this project, we will develop software to run the air pollution exposure models as iPhone Apps.

The project will include collaborating with a research team and with close mentoring from Dr. Michael Breen on further developing and testing software for various iPhone Apps, which are based on previously developed air pollution exposure models. The intern will use Apple Computer's XCode and Swift programming language to continue the development and testing of the apps. One app will collect and store continuous GPS data acquired from the iPhone hardware. Another app will use the GPS input data to run an EPA model that predicts the time-spent in different buildings (e.g., home, school, work) and in-vehicles. A third app will access on-line air pollution data and GPS data to predict air pollution exposures.

The goal of this project is to develop and field test iPhone Apps, based on previously develop models, for predicting a person's exposure to air pollution.

Opportunities for Professional Development:

The intern will work with Dr. Michael Breen at the EPA research campus in Research Triangle Park, NC, and will collaborate with leading air pollution scientists as part of a research team. The intern will learn about the science of air pollution exposure modeling and its real-world application for reducing people's exposure. Finally, the intern will have the opportunity to develop and co-author scientific presentations and peer-reviewed publications.

Point of Contact or Mentor:

Michael Breen (breen.michael@epa.gov)