Grantee Research Project Results

Clinical Studies of Ultrafine Particle Exposure in Susceptible Human Subjects

EPA Grant Number: R827354C003
Subproject: this is subproject number 003 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R827354
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: Rochester PM Center
Center Director: Oberdörster, Günter
Title: Clinical Studies of Ultrafine Particle Exposure in Susceptible Human Subjects
Investigators: Frampton, Mark W. , Zareba, Wojciech , Morrow, P. E. , Utell, Mark J. , Cox, Christopher , Oberdörster, Günter , Beckett, William
Current Investigators: Frampton, Mark W. , Utell, Mark J.
Institution: University of Rochester
EPA Project Officer: Chung, Serena
Project Period: June 1, 1999 through May 31, 2005 (Extended to May 31, 2006)
RFA: Airborne Particulate Matter (PM) Centers (1999) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: Air Quality and Air Toxics , Particulate Matter , Air

Objective:

This research project is composed of a collection of studies that will utilize controlled human exposures to examine, in healthy and potentially susceptible subjects, the deposition and fate of inhaled ultrafine carbon particles (UFP), and the role of UFP in inducing health effects.

Approach:

Subjects with asthma represent a group with increased susceptibility to the health effects of UFPs, both because of the possibility of increased airway deposition of particles, and because of underlying airway inflammation. We will conduct a clinical exposure study (co-funded by the Health Effects Institute) of subjects with mild asthma. Sixteen subjects (8 male, 8 female) will be exposed to air and to 10 micrograms (µg)/m³ carbon UFP for 2 hours with intermittent exercise. We will measure the effects on pulmonary function, symptoms, airway inflammation (exhaled nitric oxide (NO) and induced sputum), blood leukocyte activation, and cardiac electrophysiologic function. These studies will be performed using mouthpiece exposures, which will enable us to measure UFP deposition during exposure, and to compare findings with our previous studies of healthy subjects.

Expected Results:

We expect to reveal the nature of deposition and fate of inhaled UFPs, and to extend this understanding to learn more about the potential health effects of UFPs.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this subproject: View all 27 publications for this subproject | View all 106 publications for this center

Journal Articles:

Journal Articles have been submitted on this subproject: View all 24 journal articles for this subproject | View all 91 journal articles for this center

Supplemental Keywords:

ultrafine carbon particles, UFP, asthma, lungs, clinical exposure study, airway inflammation, blood leukocyte activation, cardiac electrophysiologic., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Health, Air, particulate matter, Environmental Chemistry, Health Risk Assessment, air toxics, Risk Assessments, Biochemistry, Atmospheric Sciences, Molecular Biology/Genetics, ambient air quality, cytokine production, particle size, particulates, sensitive populations, health effects, risk assessment, cardiopulmonary responses, fine particles, human health effects, morbidity, ambient air monitoring, lung, cardiovascular vulnerability, pulmonary disease, susceptible populations, animal model, carbon particles, environmental health effects, particle exposure, ambient monitoring, human exposure, particulate exposure, lung inflamation, pulmonary, coronary artery disease, inhalation toxicology, urban air pollution, mortality, urban environment, aerosol, cardiopulmonary, human health, aerosols, cardiovascular disease, ultrafine particles, pathophysiological mechanisms

Progress and Final Reports:

1999 Progress Report

2000 Progress Report

2001 Progress Report

2002 Progress Report

2003 Progress Report

2004 Progress Report

Final Report

Main Center Abstract and Reports:

R827354    Rochester PM Center

Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R827354C001 Characterization of the Chemical Composition of Atmospheric Ultrafine Particles
R827354C002 Inflammatory Responses and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Susceptible Populations
R827354C003 Clinical Studies of Ultrafine Particle Exposure in Susceptible Human Subjects
R827354C004 Animal Models: Dosimetry, and Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Events
R827354C005 Ultrafine Particle Cell Interactions: Molecular Mechanisms Leading to Altered Gene Expression
R827354C006 Development of an Electrodynamic Quadrupole Aerosol Concentrator
R827354C007 Kinetics of Clearance and Relocation of Insoluble Ultrafine Iridium Particles From the Rat Lung Epithelium to Extrapulmonary Organs and Tissues (Pilot Project)
R827354C008 Ultrafine Oil Aerosol Generation for Inhalation Studies