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RJ Lee Group’s Mobile Laboratory Powers Cutting-Edge Investigations
An innovative environmental research initiative is taking place in the heart of Martinsville, Indiana, a community of 11,000 residents. This small Midwestern town is the focal point of an extensive, community-engaged research program aimed at uncovering the impact of environmental exposure to perchloroethylene (PCE). At the leading edge of this effort is RJ Lee Group’s state-of-the-art mobile laboratory, equipped with cutting-edge Proton Transfer Reaction Mass Spectrometry (PTR-MS) technology.
The Challenge: Environmental Contamination
Martinsville’s environmental concerns stem from four contamination sites where PCE—a chemical commonly used in dry cleaning and industrial applications—has migrated into the groundwater. Exposure to PCE has been linked to potential health risks, making it imperative to understand the extent of its presence in the community’s environment.
In 2005, Martinsville began using a filtration system based on activated carbon to remove PCE and other chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) from its municipal water, meeting drinking water standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. However, evidence suggests that PCE can migrate from groundwater and soil into buildings in vapor form, contaminating indoor air and potentially affecting residents' health1.
The Research Program
The research program is a collaboration between investigators from Purdue University, the University of Illinois at Chicago, and Indiana University. Together, the Martinsville Environmental Community Action Project (MECAP) is leveraging its expertise to explore the effects of PCE exposure and engage the community in this vital process. The project, funded by the Partnerships for Environmental Public Health (PEPH) grant, aims to understand the health effects of PCE exposure in communities and empower community members to participate in environmental health decision-making1.
The Power of RJ Lee Group’s Mobile Laboratory
At the heart of the investigation is RJ Lee Group’s mobile laboratory, equipped with PTR-MS technology, a highly sensitive analytical tool capable of detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like PCE in real-time, down to ppt levels.
Unlike traditional methods that require samples to be transported to distant laboratories for analysis, the mobile laboratory enables researchers to perform on-site, real-time measurements. The lab is commonly used for fenceline monitoring and community exposure testing, but is also called upon for emergencies such as the East Palestine, OH train derailment2 and on-site testing during the COVID pandemic.
The NEIHS research team chose RJ Lee Group’s Mobile Lab for its ability to provide non-invasive sampling and in-situ testing for real-time data. For this project, the lab is deployed in two distinct ways. During the day, volunteers gather samples from residents in their homes using “breath bags,” specialized sample containers that capture and store exhaled breath. The samples are transported to the nearby mobile laboratory for same-day testing and analysis. During the evenings, the mobile laboratory samples Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) at homes within the community.
A Community-Centric Approach
One of the most striking aspects of this research is its community-centered methodology. The investigators are not merely studying Martinsville but actively engaging its residents. The program fosters transparency, collaboration, and trust by involving the community in both the research process and the conversation about environmental health.
Community engagement includes public informational sessions, town hall meetings, and opportunities for residents to interact with the researchers directly. This inclusive approach ensures that the people of Martinsville are not passive subjects but active participants shaping the study's outcome.
Transforming Environmental Research
Using RJ Lee Group’s mobile laboratory in Martinsville showcases the immense potential of portable, high-tech analytical tools in environmental research. It represents a shift towards more dynamic, responsive methodologies prioritizing real-time data collection and community involvement to monitor biomarkers that could preemptively indicate health risks.
Beyond Martinsville, this approach is a model for other communities grappling with environmental contamination. The collaboration between leading academic institutions and cutting-edge technology providers like RJ Lee Group hints at a future where science addresses environmental challenges and empowers communities to be part of the solution.
Looking Ahead
As the research program progresses, Martinsville's findings will offer deeper insights into the effects of PCE exposure, paving the way for targeted interventions and policy changes. The investigators are redefining what it means to study environmental health.
Martinsville’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and the power of science to protect and uplift communities. This initiative highlights the importance of addressing environmental contamination and underscores the value of collaboration between institutions, technologies, and the people most affected.
1: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Grant number: R01ES0334865