Impact/Purpose:

The goal of this project is to better define “at-risk” subpopulations and to identify host factors that contribute to susceptibility to acute, both generic and source-specific, air pollutant/air toxicant exposure.

Description:

Understanding the underlying physiological processes which may account for pollution-associated health effects is an important research priority for the EPA. Numerous epidemiologic time-series studies have shown generally consistent associations of outdoor (ambient) air pollution with pulmonary and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, certain subpopulations, generally described by age and pre-existing disease, are likely driving much of the overall population responses. Therefore, it is imperative to: (1) better define these “at risk” populations, and (2) determine host factors that contribute to both generic and source-specific susceptiblity to air pollutant or toxicant exposure. The studies herein will focus on select host factors including: dose enhancement factors, cellular/ tissue/ physiologic response enhancement factors, validation of biomarkers of exposure, validation of biomarkers of pulmonary or cardiovascular disease, lifestage contributions, and lifestyle influences (e.g., diet, activity level, degree of obesity). Subpopulations likely be at increased risk, as identified by epidemiologic studies, include (1) the very young or elderly, (2) individuals with pre-existing pulmonary or atopic disease, and (3) individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular disease, including contributing metabolic conditions. Collectively, the studies described below were designed to assess one or more of these host factors in select “at risk” subpopulations, for specific air pollutant or air toxic exposures.

Record Details: