Abstract:

The Center for Leadership in Environmental Awareness and Research is dedicated to understanding and mitigating adverse health issues stemming from exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through a multi-prong interdisciplinary approach through multiple projects and cores. Project 1 investigates the viability of phytoscreening techniques - the use of plant tissue to find belowground contaminants- for VOC detection, particularly in common urban plants. Project 2 focuses on VOC concentrations in soil vapor, a critical medium for assessing subsurface contamination and its potential migration into living spaces. Through a joint effort of Project 1 and 2 with the Community Engagement Core, we have been addressing the pressing issue of brownfield contamination in Detroit neighborhoods. Ultimately, the integration of these datasets will enable a comprehensive analysis of VOC distribution across plants, soil vapor, and indoor environments, providing valuable insights into contamination dynamics and their implications for public health. By understanding these pathways, this research contributes to the broader effort to mitigate environmental health risks in vulnerable communities.

Biographies
Sarah Black is a doctoral student in Biological Sciences and Urban Sustainability researching how plants play a role in contamination distribution in urban environments under the direction of Dr. Glen R Hood. She previously earned her master’s in plant biology at Southern Illinois University, and spent a few years as a federal regulator. Currently she is the Leadership Fellow for CLEAR and sits on her hometown’s Brownfield Authority commission.

Qisen Wang is a doctoral student in Civil and Environmental engineering researching how to use the real-time VOC sensor to monitor the soil vapor under the direction of Dr. Yongli Wager. He is a second-year trainee for CLEAR.