Mobile lab expands air pollution studies

EAST LANSING, Mich., Oct. 8 (UPI) -- Michigan State University scientists say they will soon be using a new $400,000 mobile lab to expand their studies of air pollution and its effects on health.

Professor Jack Harkema and researcher Emily White said the mobile air research laboratory will lead to a better understanding of the damaging health effects of air pollution and why certain airborne particles emitted from plants and vehicles induce disease and illness.

The 53-foot, 36,000-pound laboratory is located inside a converted semi-trailer. It will be used across southern Michigan, including metropolitan Detroit.

"The mobile laboratory allows us to analyze 'real-world' pollution in communities that may be at risk," Harkema said. "We can study why certain ailments, such as asthma, cardiovascular disease and even obesity, may be more pronounced after exposure to particulate air pollution."

Researchers said the mobile laboratory pulls air from the surrounding atmosphere through an air-particle concentrator, allowing the scientists to selectively collect the particles and analyze them for chemical components that might be responsible for damaging health effects.

"We know particles in the air can exacerbate pre-existing respiratory and cardiovascular disease in people," Harkema said. "We need to understand why."