Instead of building a new system for each substance, the core of it will integrate with any sensor each with its own unique algorithm. The BETS system can attach to a variety of sensors and detect a wide range of potentially harmful exposures. In addition to occupational hazards, there is a great value of this technology being used for identifying exposure to biochemical threats. That helps us see trends in something like hearing loss in Airmen, and can compare these maps between the bases.” “From this information, we use this noise exposure information to create an acoustic map. Jung Lee, an expert in emergency and contingency bioenvironmental engineering operations for the Air Force. Exposure data can easily be captured around the clock for individuals,” explains Lt. “Most Air Force bases largely deal with hazardous noise exposures mainly due to the aircrafts. Monitoring devices used in each settings can vary based on the expected hazards are each area. From that, quicker and more informed medical decisions can be made.”Įvery base and deployed setting has different exposure risks. Now we can get a pretty close estimate of exposure just from knowing where you are. “For instance, if we know that you spent 10-12 hours working at a job location, then you are assigned to sleep at another location, and then you eat at a different location, I can capture most of your day. “We as exposure scientists can apply this information to an individual and get a close, predictive estimate of exposure,” said Phillips. From this data, Air Force bioenvironmental engineers can create a more precise, predictive map to illustrate exposure trends. This converts sample information received in the field into exposure data. “Having this data helps commanders know what their troops are facing, and inform important decisions about health risks.”īETS relies on sensors with its own situational awareness data analytics. “We are developing deployable technology to move the process of identifying dangerous exposures from the lab to the battlefield,” said Phillips. On the battlefield, this information can determine pathogen exposure risks for chemical or biological weapons, or other environmental risks, like from burn-pits. When combined with one of many types of sensors such as a portable pathogen detection device that can collect small samples in combat settings, BETS can identify dangerous pathogens in real time. This lets bioenvironmental engineers get a better understanding of what impact a potential exposure might have on Airmen, as well as predict exposure risks of individuals throughout their work day or off-duty time. The system works as an analytic platform, collecting various types of exposure data over a period of time. The Bioenvironmental Threat Surveillance system addresses this head on. According to Phillips, this data is often not refined enough to make important, fully informed medical decisions. This leads to general assessments of risk based on an average, or potential exposures. “Often, the sample will also only be from a single location, and for a short time, not capturing a complete picture of the exposure risk.” Kirk Phillips, consultant to the Air Force Surgeon General for Bioenvironmental Engineering. “One of the challenges bioenvironmental engineers face is that they can usually capture only a very small sample of the various chemical, biological, and environmental agent we are examining,” said Col. With a better picture of exposures, doctors can better explain risks to patients, leaders can make more informed decisions on the battlefield, and Airmen can take control of their health. Understanding these exposures, whether they are from the battlefield, on the job, off-duty or even while asleep, is a critical piece of improving the readiness of the active duty force. Air Force bioenvironmental engineers are developing technology to track, catalogue, and provide useful data about environmental exposures that will help identify battlefield threats in real time and inform Airmen of the everyday exposures that affect their health. Modern battlefields have many sources of potentially harmful airborne substances, but that is not the only place that Airmen can be exposed to harmful environmental factors. Air Force Surgeon General Public AffairsįALLS CHURCH, Va.
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