Elizabeth Ndunda
Country (Nationality)
Kenya
Grantee Title
Project Title: Towards real-time in-situ determination of polychlorinated biphenyls using molecularly imprinted polymers-based sensors
Grantee Description
Host Organisation: Machakos University, Kenya
Summary
Pollution of our environment is one of the emerging challenges in the developing countries, due to poor enforcement of environmental regulations. As a result human being and animals are exposed to these pollutants, thus threatening their health. Some of the pollutants of concern are polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), since they are classified as ‘probable human carcinogens’. They are also known to bio-accumulate in fatty tissues of animals and humans, reaching toxic levels upon continued exposure. Techniques that can achieve trace to ultra-trace level detection of these compounds in the environment are therefore necessary to protect the environment and humans from exposure to these chemicals. On this note, the proposed research seeks to come up with a sensor to enable real – time detection of environmental PCBs, so as facilitate continuous monitoring in order to provide timely information on any possible contamination of our environment with these compounds. Adoption of this sensor for continuous monitoring of the PCBs in the environment will see increased protection of our population and contribute to a healthy workforce.