THE THREE GUIDING VALUES AT THE BACK OF OUR MIND
Environmental Responsibility: Our commitment to environmental responsibility is deeply rooted in our project's core objectives. PAHs are known to have a detrimental impact on the environment, so it was essential for us to design a solution that not only detects them but also contributes to environmental conservation.
Accessibility and Equity: Ensuring accessibility and equity were paramount considerations during the project's design. We recognize that environmental issues, like PAH contamination, affect diverse communities, including those with limited resources.
Holistic Vision: We understand that simply detecting PAHs is not enough; we must also tackle the underlying causes of their presence in the environment. Therefore, our project goes beyond symptom management and lays the groundwork for future remediation strategies. We are actively exploring ways to remediate and mitigate PAH contamination, working collaboratively with stakeholders.
THE REVOLUTIONARY CHANGE WE ENVISION
Our project aspires to create a ripple effect of positive change, touching various aspects of environmental protection, public health, social equity, and scientific innovation. We are committed to ensuring that this impact is both deep and broad, affecting local communities and the global landscape alike.
Cost-Effectiveness
By providing a more affordable solution for PAH detection, we hope to make this crucial service accessible to a broader range of communities. Our biosensor could reduce annual testing costs from a range of $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 to $100,000 to $500,000, translating to potential annual savings of $900,000 to $4,500,000. This financial advantage complements the environmental benefits, making our solution highly impactful. The cost-effectiveness and simplicity of our biosensor make it highly scalable. We aim to extend our project beyond local communities to have a global impact, particularly in regions that are most affected by water pollution and lack the resources for expensive testing methods.
Innovation and Technological Advancement
Our project serves as a platform for innovation, potentially inspiring future iGEM teams and researchers to build upon our work. The integration of artificial intelligence for data analysis and predictive modeling could set a new standard in environmental monitoring.
Data-Driven Decision Making
By enabling more frequent and affordable testing of water sources, our project has the potential to significantly improve public health outcomes. Early detection of PAHs can prevent long-term health issues, reducing healthcare costs and improving quality of life. The real-time data generated by our biosensor can be invaluable for governmental agencies, environmental organizations, and community leaders in making informed decisions for environmental protection and public health.
Empowerment and Social Equity
By making PAH detection affordable and accessible, we empower communities to take control of their environmental health, thereby promoting social equity and justice. The production, distribution, and maintenance of our biosensors could generate new job opportunities in various sectors, from manufacturing to data analysis, contributing to economic growth.
PAHs IN THE ENVIRONMENT WEBINAR
WEBINAR REPORT
Webinar on Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) awareness successfully took place on September 27th, 2023. The event was organized by Ms. Shakirah Namuli, Head of Research, and Mr. Jerome Bright, Assistant Head of Research. The webinar aimed to raise awareness about PAHs and was hosted by Mr. Jerome.
Introduction and Background
Mr. Jerome began the session by welcoming all attendees, including panelists, and introduced the team members. He provided a brief background on PAHs to set the context for the discussion and showcased a video about PAHs
The panelists for the webinar included
1. Mr. Silver Odong: A chemical engineer and PAHs research expert, specializing in analytical and environmental chemistry.
2. Musa Wakabi: Principal analyst at Directorate of Government Analytical Laboratories (DGAL).
3. Emmanuel Okalany: A technician in food science and technology with an MSc in food safety and quality management.
4. Dr. Nkambu Mujibu: A senior aquaculture and fisheries scientist.
Questions and Responses
Several questions to the panelists, and here are some key highlights from their responses.
Question 1: Current Gaps in PAHs Research (Directed to Mr. Silver)
- Derivatives of PAHs are considered more dangerous.
- Lack of adequate equipment for research.
- Limited availability of research samples due to budget constraints.
- Inadequate understanding of the biotic and abiotic effects of PAHs.
Question 2: Challenges of PAHs in Food (Directed to Mr. Emmanuel)
- Widespread ignorance about PAHs from processors to consumers.
- Lack of awareness of how PAHs are generated or transferred into food.
- Recommendations for education and standardized cooking methods to reduce PAH generation.
Question 3: Ensuring Accurate Results (Directed to Mr. Musa from DGAL)
- Challenges with matrix effects.
- The importance of well-maintained instruments.
- Proper temperature control during analysis.
- The use of internal standards for accurate results.
Question 4: Effects of PAHs on Aquaculture Products (Directed to Dr. Nkambo)
- Routes of entry into fish through water, processing, and fish feed.
- Effects on fish growth, development, deformities, and immune system disorders.
- Limited awareness and lack of implemented standards in Uganda.
- Recommendations for identifying point sources of PAHs and monitoring factory waste.
Question 5: Bio Risks and Areas of Exploration (Directed to Mr. Silver)
- Remediation of hydrocarbons in oil fields.
- Identifying and quantifying PAH derivatives in food and aquatic life.
- The need for collaboration between academia, industry, and the public.
Question 6: Designing Aquaculture Systems to Manage PAHs (Directed to Dr. Nkambo)
- Managing the three major routes of PAH entry.
- Monitoring feeds for safety.
- Raising awareness and implementing safety measures.
Key Findings from the PAHs Awareness Webinar
1. Knowledge Gap and Awareness
- There is a significant knowledge gap among the general population, including food processors and consumers, regarding what PAHs are and how they can impact food safety.
- Lack of awareness about the sources and generation of PAHs in food and the environment is a significant concern.
2. Research Challenges
- The research on PAHs faces several challenges, including limited funding for equipment and sample collection.
- The biotic and abiotic effects of PAHs are not well understood, highlighting the need for further research.
3. Food Safety Concerns
- PAHs can have detrimental effects on food safety, including reduced growth rates in aquatic life, developmental issues, deformities, and immune system disorders.
- Ignorance about PAHs and their impact on food safety is a significant challenge.
4. Mitigation Strategies
- To mitigate the presence of PAHs in food, there is a need for standardized cooking methods that minimize PAH generation.
- Educating communities about safe cooking practices and the dangers of PAHs is crucial.
- Addressing point sources of PAHs in water bodies and implementing monitoring systems can help reduce contamination.
5. Ensuring Accurate Results
- To obtain accurate results in PAH analysis, it is essential to troubleshoot instruments and maintain them in good working condition.
- Proper temperature control during analysis and the use of internal standards are critical for reliable data.
6. Future Research and Collaboration
- Future research should focus on identifying and quantifying PAH derivatives in food and aquatic life.
- Collaboration between academia, industry, and the public is necessary to address the environmental and health challenges posed by PAHs effectively.
7. Aquaculture Management
- Managing the routes of entry of PAHs into aquaculture systems is essential for ensuring the safety of aquaculture products.
- Monitoring fish feeds for safety and raising awareness about safe cooking temperatures and methods can help mitigate PAH contamination.
As a team, we are deeply committed to taking concrete steps in response to the insights gained from this webinar. We recognize the importance of:
- Raising Awareness: We will work tirelessly to educate and create awareness among communities about the dangers of PAHs in food and the environment.
- Supporting Research: We understand the research gaps and challenges associated with PAHs and will explore opportunities to contribute to further studies in this field.
- Collaboration: We will actively seek collaboration with experts, industries, and the public to develop holistic solutions for mitigating PAH contamination.
Our commitment extends beyond this webinar, and we pledge to follow up on these crucial issues. By doing so, we aim to contribute to a safer and more sustainable future, aligned with the goals of the iGEM community and the broader global community addressing environmental and health challenges.
Thank you to all the participants, panelists, and organizers for making this webinar a success, and we look forward to continued collaboration and progress.