This thesis focuses on using conventional telecommunication optical fibres with nanoporous thin films for different environmental and medical applications. Nanoporous materials are materials with morphological features such as cavities, channels or interstices. Owing to their high surface area, tunable pore size and adjustable framework, they have been used in various applications ranging from catalysis, adsorption, sensing, energy storage and electronics. Two specific nanoporous materials were used, zeolite and MOF (Metal Organic Framework), and a summary of experimental facilities used including important FPI (Fabry-Perot Interference) details (e.g. signal processing) that enable sensor behaviour to be measured is given.