The switch to online instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic forced educators to adapt hands-on environmental engineering experiments to a remote curriculum previously conducted in a laboratory using expensive analytical instruments (> $2000 per device). Here, we describe how we developed a low-cost (<$200) aerosol sensor platform as a successful solution for supporting remote laboratories on air quality for environmental engineering courses in Spring 2021, and continued for in-person classes in Spring 2022. This sensor platform, called HazeL (Haze Laser Sensor), consists of an externally mounted aerosol sensor, a GPS receiver, and temperature and pressure sensors coupled to an Arduino MKR WiFi 1010 microcontroller connected via a Grove system. Using a project-based learning approach and implementing the scientific method, students worked asynchronously to design experiments, collect aerosol measurements, and analyze and visualize data using the R programming language. Students generated hypotheses regarding factors affecting air pollution, measured ≥0.3 μm particles in different locations, tested differences between samples, and rejected the null hypothesis if appropriate. HazeL was also used for projects on data processing and statistical inference in an upper-level computational course. We present an instructional guide on manufacturing the HazeL platform and using it as a teaching tool for enhancing student experiential learning, participation, and engagement.

Purpose: Monitoring oxygen saturation (SpO2) in some patient populations during exercise is vital. The objectives of this study were to determine whether under conditions of artificial hypoperfusion pulse oximeter performance during exercise was influenced by sensor type, attachment clip reinforcement, or a low pressure arm cuff. Methods: Six different portable oximeter models were tested on study participants at rest with a control (normothermic) and experimental (hypothermic) hand. Oximeters were then tested during treadmill walking at 1 and 2 mph with the experimental hand remaining hypothermic. Electrocardiographic measurements of heart rate were also taken simultaneously. Results: There were differences in SpO2 values between oximeter pairs following cold exposure at rest for most models (5 out of 6) but during walking for only 1 model. There were also differences between oximeter and electrocardiographic heart rate measurements for some models when study participants walked on a treadmill at 1 mph (1 out of 6) and 2 mph (3 out of 6). Conclusions: Results suggest that oximeter performance is better when measuring SpO2 than heart rate. Cold-induced hypoperfusion caused inaccuracies in SpO2 measurements, which were greater at rest than during exercise. Study results also suggest that some pulse oximeters perform better when the oximeter sensor attachment clip is reinforced with an elastic band.

Background Environmental health agencies are critical sources of information for communities affected by chemical contamination. Impacted residents and their healthcare providers often turn to federal and state agency webpages, fact sheets, and other documents to weigh exposure risks and interventions. Main body This commentary briefly reviews scientific evidence concerning per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) for health outcomes that concern members of affected communities and that have compelling or substantial yet differing degree of scientific evidence. It then features official documents in their own language to illustrate communication gaps, as well as divergence from scientific evidence and from best health communication practice. We found official health communications mostly do not distinguish between the needs of heavily contaminated communities characterized by high body burdens and the larger population with ubiquitous but substantially smaller exposures. Most health communications do not distinguish levels of evidence for health outcomes and overemphasize uncertainty, dismissing legitimate reasons for concern in affected communities. Critically, few emphasize helpful approaches to interventions. We also provide examples that can be templates for improvement. Conclusions Immediate action should be undertaken to review and improve official health communications intended to inform the public and health providers about the risks of PFAS exposure and guide community and medical decisions.

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2016 interventions [1-3]. They allow for vital continuous monitoring of oxygenation in patients with oxygen loading impairments such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure. While the performance of new generation Pulse oximeters are commonly used in medical settings to non-invasively measure arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO2) and heart rate (HR) at baseline and with therapeutic Background: Measurement of oxygen saturation (SpO2) during activity and exercise is important for clinical treatment and prognostic decision-making, but oximeter error can be problematic. New generation fingertip pulse oximeters are readily available and inexpensive; therefore, their potential clinical applications are rapidly expanding. While the performance of new generation tabletop and handheld pulse oximeters has been evaluated, little information is available on the accuracy of fingertip pulse oximeters, especially during activity. Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine if new generation low cost fingertip pulse oximeters provide accurate and consistent measurements of oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate (HR) during walking. Materials and Methods: Nine different fingertip oximeter models were evaluated during treadmill walking at one and two mph in healthy subjects (n = 32). Oximeter readings from both hands were simultaneously recorded and a 15 second electrocardiogram (ECG) strip was printed. Paired t-tests were used to determine differences in SpO2 measurements between oximeter pairs. An ANOVA was used to determine differences in HR measurements among oximeter pairs and ECG. Error rates were also calculated. Results: A significant difference in SpO2 values was identified between oximeter pairs for two models when subjects walked at one mph. Additionally, a significant difference in HR values existed between oximeter pairs and the ECG for two models when subjects walked at one mph. No differences were found in SpO2 or HR measurements when subjects walked at two mph. Oximeter performance was better when measuring SpO2 than HR. Also, in this study pulse oximeters performed better when subjects walked at higher versus lower exercise intensities. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that accuracy and consistency of fingertip oximeter measurements are less than ideal during treadmill walking. Clinicians should use caution when interpreting HR values obtained with fingertip pulse oximeters during exercise.