About This Project

The harmful effects of indoor air contaminants, such as perchloroethylene (PERC), are clear. Knowing how to assess our own risk is less clear. We will assemble and distribute air quality test kits to homes in Northeast Denver in order to collect data on two pollutants: PERC and radon. Our goals are simple, help a local community understand if they are at risk, raise awareness of air quality issues, and test a low-cost method for PERC detection that could allow anyone to screen their home.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

PERC and Radon are gases that can enter people's homes from the soil or groundwater; long term exposure to either is unhealthy. PERC is a solvent used in dry cleaning and when spilled it can travel and linger for years. After several spills were discovered nearby, we decided to collect data in our own neighborhoods. Radon, in contrast, occurs naturally in the soil throughout much of Colorado.

We will compare a high-cost, proven method for PERC detection to a cheaper, easier method. To ensure results are both scientifically valid and practically useful, our project is led by scientists and community leaders. Participants will learn about PERC and radon in their homes and ways to protect themselves; the community can use aggregated data to identify spills or pollution 'hotspots'.

What is the significance of this project?

The majority of our time is spent indoors, which makes long-term exposure to even low-levels of air pollution a health concern. PERC and radon are toxic and carcinogenic. Radon is typically considered the second leading cause of lung cancer and Colorado falls in the "highest potential for radon" category due to its geologic conditions.

Testing and validating a low-cost screening method for PERC in homes could be valuable to researchers, communities, and even regulators all over the world. Increased testing for radon might lead to more remediation and improved local health. Additionally, utilizing a community-based participatory research model to engage residents will result in valuable information, methods, and resources for future community-based scientific research projects.

What are the goals of the project?

We will assemble air quality kits to collect data on PERC and radon levels. We will test 15 homes over the course of three weeks. Field data will reveal PERC levels in the homes and help us to determine whether or not there may be a neighborhood-wide problem. Radon data could highlight hotspots or other homes that are the most 'at-risk'.

We hope to use this data to identify issues and suggest changes that would improve health throughout the community. Our goal is to begin answering residents' questions regarding the presence of pollutants; more sampling or assistance with remediation may follow this project.

Field data and further laboratory tests will compare the low-cost PERC detection method to an accepted method. If successful, an additional goal is to publish and share this method.