Latest news with #SensoRyAI
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists uncover shocking aftermath in homes that survived wildfires: 'Homes act like a trap'
Scientists have made a disturbing discovery: Even homes that survive wildfires can pose serious health risks to their residents. Even after the flames are extinguished, toxic chemicals from smoke and ash remain trapped inside buildings. This exposes residents to long-term health risks. Scientists studying the aftermath of fires in Los Angeles and Colorado found that indoor air and surfaces become contaminated with heavy metals and toxic gases called volatile organic compounds. "Homes act like a trap when they're exposed to a lot of smoke," Joost de Gouw, an atmospheric chemist at the University of Colorado Boulder, told Science News. "A lot of ash stays behind inside homes, and also a lot of odors linger for weeks." In some cases, entire homes had to be stripped down to the studs to eliminate lingering toxins. Many assume that the danger is over once a wildfire is contained, but that's far from reality. Homes act like sponges, absorbing toxic chemicals from wildfire smoke and slowly releasing them over time. Studies from the Marshall Fire in Colorado found that indoor air contained VOC levels comparable to Los Angeles pollution in the 1990s (a notorious era for poor air quality). Breathing in these chemicals isn't just unpleasant; they can cause health problems including respiratory issues, skin irritation, and even increased cancer risk. Firefighters use chemical retardants to stop flames, but these sprays contain heavy metals such as chromium and cadmium, which pose their own health risks. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Returning home after a fire may seem safe, but lingering chemicals can continue to expose unaware residents to these dangerous toxins. The good news is that experts have identified steps to help lessen these risks. Scientists recommend deep-cleaning homes post-wildfires, including vacuuming with HEPA filters, wiping down all surfaces, and using air purifiers. Even simple actions such as keeping windows open for ventilation and avoiding chemical cleaners that react with VOCs can help reduce the risks. Innovative technology is also playing a role in wildfire prevention and mitigation. Ryan Honary, a 17-year-old inventor, developed SensoRy AI, an artificial intelligence-powered wildfire detection system capable of identifying fires as small as a square foot. Similarly, Southern California Edison has been testing rapid earth fault current limiters, which cut power to fallen lines to prevent them from sparking fires. These advancements could reduce the severity and frequency of wildfires in the future. Local governments are also working to improve post-wildfire safety measures. Some communities are conducting more thorough indoor air and water quality testing before allowing residents to return. With better cleaning practices, new wildfire prevention technology, and improved safety regulations, communities can recover faster and reduce future risks. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Teen develops and deploys game-changing wildfire sensor with California officials as the state endures more wildfires: 'Early detection is one of our greatest weapons'
Ryan Honary, a 17-year-old from Newport Harbor High School in California, recently deployed his revolutionary wildfire sensor powered by artificial intelligence, SensoRy AI, which he developed to detect fires before they spread uncontrollably. As explained, he thought of the idea after a devastating wildfire broke out near his family's home in 2018. After the harrowing ordeal, Honary began brainstorming solutions, and a light bulb went off when he remembered a heat detector he'd created for a fifth-grade school project. Using that as the blueprint, he mapped out a plan for a wildfire detection system and built the first prototype, which was equipped with infrared sensors, a wireless sensor network, machine learning, AI, and a camera to identify smoke. Honary was selected as a finalist in The Earth Prize 2024, the world's largest environmental competition for teenage students. The Earth Prize stated that SensoRy AI acts as "a mini-meteorological station" to detect wildfires and other natural disasters, including landslides and oil spills. When the sensors identify a threat, they trigger alarms that notify emergency services and nearby residents who might be impacted, even in rural areas that lack communication networks. reported that the device can "detect fires as small as a square foot," making it ideal for use in California, where small sparks can often erupt into massive fires that destroy entire communities — such as what happened in the heartbreaking Palisades Fire. Honary's unique wildfire detection system caught the eye of the Orange County Fire Authority, which deployed the device in Irvine last month. SensoRy AI will be installed in phases, the first of which focuses on high-risk burn areas in the 40,000-acre Irvine Open Space Preserve, a vital wilderness area in the city. OCFA Fire Chief Brian Fennessy told "Early detection is one of our greatest weapons in what has become a year-round fire season, empowering crews to more safely and effectively execute the robust and rapid initial attack required to keep wildfires small." As the planet continues to warm, large wildfires are becoming more frequent and harder to contain, especially in places like California, where warm, dry summers create the ideal fuel for wildfires to spark. Should the government be able to control how we heat our homes? Definitely Only if it saves money I'm not sure No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. However, innovative solutions like Honary's will help safeguard communities and the planet from the threats of our changing climate. Since SensoRy AI isn't expensive to develop, it can be easily scaled to deploy in other locations worldwide. The system will be stationed just around Irvine for now, but Honary has big plans for the future. According to SensoRy AI's website, the early detection tech can be utilized for various applications, including measuring air quality and detecting sparks on utility infrastructure. The sky is the limit for SensoRy AI, and it's exciting to think about how the technology will progress moving forward. Honary has proved that anyone can take local climate action, and you don't always need a plan to get started. "The applications of this technology are limitless and will work to help prevent disasters, reduce production and maintenance costs, and save lives," SensoRy AI said. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
CBS News
11-02-2025
- Science
- CBS News
Orange County teen's invention provides look at the future of firefighting
An Orange County teenager's lifelong passion could change the future of firefighting, with his recent invention becoming the latest tool adopted by local fire departments to help stop wildfires before they grow out of control. Ryan Honary, a Newport Beach high schooler and founder of SensoRy AI, officially partnered with the city of Irvine and the Orange County Fire Authority to deploy his artificial intelligence-driven wildfire detection system in the Irvine Open Space Preserve on Monday, a 40,000 acre swath of land that connects to the Cleveland National Forest. "I'm actually very excited because this is our very first deployment," Honary said. "The whole idea of my platform is to be able to detect the fire when it is smaller than one foot by one foot. The idea is that by the time the firefighters are there to put it out, a human shouldn't have even been able to see it from their house." The invention combines AI, machinery and a wireless mesh sensor network to detect a fire in its earliest stages. It aims to immediately alert firefighters with instant notifications and constant real-time updates on the potential growth, speed and direction it's burning. "So, it would take a picture of that fire, it would detect it from its infrared and maybe smoke as well and then it would instantly send that information as an email text or push notification to the Orange County Fire Authority's phones," Honary said. He put his work to the test in Irvine's Qual Hill open space, close to where the 1993 Laguna Fire sparked. He's been working on it since he was in fifth grade after he watched the devastating blaze destroyed hundreds of homes. Firefighters say it's this type of technology that could be one of their most valuable tools when it comes to preventing the devastation recently seen in Los Angeles County, when the Palisades and Eaton fires erupted. "Early detection is one of our greatest weapons in what has become a year-round fire season, empowering crews to more safely and effectively execute the robust and rapid initial attack required to keep wildfires small," said OCFA Fire Chief Brian Fennessy. Honary has partnered with OCFA for several years now after receiving $250,000 in funding from the Irvine Ranch Conservancy. In the time since, Fennessy has mentored the teen who he is now beyond proud of and grateful for. He says that the technology will better enable them to provide real-time data to crews on scene, including where to allocate their resources. This year alone, California wildfires have already consumed more than 57,000a acres, killed over two dozen people and caused north of $250 billion in economic losses. A new group of Honary's detectors will be deployed along SR-133 heading into Laguna Beach. By the end of the year, OCFA hopes to have 25 detectors installed in their most fire prone areas.
