A civil engineer in grad school studying industrial hygiene at Montana Tech, this Montana native has worked to protect the vulnerable in his area from wildfire smoke. Layne earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering at MSU and is now earning his master’s degree in industrial hygiene. Layne is working with Drs. Dan Autenrieth and Julie Hart in the Department of Safety, Health and Industrial Hygiene, doing research on the effectiveness of low-tech, low-cost air purification systems for vulnerable populations in the Butte area during wildfire smoke events.
Working with Butte Silver-Bow Health Department the team identified three groups: senior citizens at the Springs, the young at Butte Head Start, and the underprivileged at the Butte Rescue Mission. Layne had to first meet his population on a personal level. He placed air monitors air purifiers in specific locations for two months. Air quality measurements were taken for the two-month smoke season in residence with air purifiers. Findings revealed that staying indoors reduces exposure and the air purifiers further reduced exposures to harmful air pollutants. The research provides evidence of effective and affordable intervention for those disadvantaged and vulnerable citizens.
Layne is from Laurel, MT. He enjoys spending fly fishing in the summer, and skiing in the winter. I am thankful for the opportunity to pursue industrial hygiene as a profession.
Working with Butte Silver-Bow Health Department the team identified three groups: senior citizens at the Springs, the young at Butte Head Start, and the underprivileged at the Butte Rescue Mission. Layne had to first meet his population on a personal level. He placed air monitors air purifiers in specific locations for two months. Air quality measurements were taken for the two-month smoke season in residence with air purifiers. Findings revealed that staying indoors reduces exposure and the air purifiers further reduced exposures to harmful air pollutants. The research provides evidence of effective and affordable intervention for those disadvantaged and vulnerable citizens.
Layne is from Laurel, MT. He enjoys spending fly fishing in the summer, and skiing in the winter. I am thankful for the opportunity to pursue industrial hygiene as a profession.