With each breath, brick workers in Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley inhale dangerous particulates. From hazardous aerosols released during the brickmaking process and indoor cooking to emissions from vehicles and factories that seep into their homes, air pollution in the region is inescapable.

Concerned about the effects of these exposures, an interdisciplinary BYU team recently came together to conduct a research study in Nepal, aiming to measure brick workers’ exposure to pollutants and to assess their respiratory health. The eventual goal is to determine what information, technology and strategies they can develop with the Nepali people to help them improve their well-being.