Comprehensive Experimental and Numerical Studies of a new Environmental Exposure Unit

Seasonal and environmental allergies are estimated to affect approximately 15% of the population in North America, leading to more than 3 million missed workdays per year with annual costs exceeding 8 billion dollars. Allergy symptoms from pollen or dust mites include sneezing, nasal congestion, and watery eyes, but in severe cases, asthma attacks may be triggered. Red Maple Trials (Ottawa, ON) designed a new testing room (normally referred to as Environmental Exposure Units, EEUs, or sometimes also referred to as Allergen Exposure Chambers, AECs) in which patients can be exposed to airborne allergens (pollen or dust mites) for clinical studies. In the current investigation, an intern will participate in the testing of different pollens (for example, ragweed or Timothy grass) as well as dust mites, aiming at achieving uniformity in both spatial and temporal distribution of allergens in this new facility. The company is also interested in performing numerical simulations of allergen aerosol dispersion in the exposure room to better understand the flow dynamics of various dispersion conditions. Allergy research can improve the lives of a significant portion of the population in Canada and the world.

Faculty Supervisor:

Edgar Matida

Student:

Partner:

Red Maple Trials

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Carleton University

Program: