According to a recent ASME article, nematodes, tiny worms, turn florescent green when exposed to toxic agents. Normally, the nematodes are blackish. Researchers at the University of Turku in Finland have genetically modified nematodes to be sensitive to toxic agents in the air systems of buildings, making them akin to “canaries in the mine shaft.” And while the nematodes can alert that toxic agents are present, they cannot distinguish what agent might be causing them to be stressed.
Nematode sensors will probably not be in the next generation of HVAC systems, however they do give hope that someday they can help ensure our workspaces and possibly homes will have a safe environment.
And if there is one thing this article did for me is that I now know what a nematode looks like, especially its florescent green warning color. – Dr. Tom
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