Grantee Research Project Results

Estimation of the Risks to Human Health of PM and PM Components

EPA Grant Number: R832417C001
Subproject: this is subproject number 001 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R832417
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: Center for the Study of Childhood Asthma in the Urban Environment
Center Director: Hansel, Nadia
Title: Estimation of the Risks to Human Health of PM and PM Components
Investigators: Dominici, Francesca , Peng, Roger D. , Bell, Michelle L. , Zeger, Scott L. , Samet, Jonathan M.
Current Investigators: Peng, Roger D. , Bell, Michelle L. , Samet, Jonathan M. , Dominici, Francesca
Institution: The Johns Hopkins University , Yale University
EPA Project Officer: Chung, Serena
Project Period: October 1, 2005 through September 30, 2010
RFA: Particulate Matter Research Centers (2004) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Human Health , Air

Objective:

The National Research Council (NRC) Committee on Research Priorities for Airborne Particulate Matter identified knowledge regarding the PM characteristics associated with toxicity as a crucial research gap. In recent analyses of the National Morbidity Mortality Air Pollution Study, we have found that short-term effects of PM on mortality can vary by region and season and we postulate that this variation might reflect regional and seasonal differences in PM characteristics.

Approach:

In ongoing studies of air pollution and health the National Medicare Cohort, comprising individual-level data on diseases, age, gender, and race for virtually the entire population of US elderly, is limited by geographical location to: 1) air pollution concentrations of gaseous pollutants, PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and PM_2.5 components; 2) weather; 3) socio-economic data; and 4) smoking and other risk factors for 13,000 Medicare enrollees. In this project, we will develop and apply statistical methods to these national databases to: 1) carry out multi-site time series studies for estimating short-term effects of PM and PM components on hospitalization and mortality (Phase I); 2) carry out cohort-studies for estimating long-term effects of PM and PM components on mortality in susceptible populations (Phase II); and 3) assess coherence of evidence from bioassays and epidemiological studies on PM toxicity and susceptibility; and explore linkages of sources of harmful PM components to human health risks (Phase III).

Expected Results:

This project will address the following objectives of the Center on a national scale: 1) mapping risks of PM and PM constituents to human health across the United States; 2) using the maps to identify a sampling frame of locations with contrasting higher and lower risks; 3) carrying out more refined epidemiological studies to estimate further the risks of the more toxic particles to susceptible individuals. By providing individual-level health data for the entire US population of elderly, the National Medicare Cohort will allow us to take full advantage of existing and future air quality databases on PM and its characteristics.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this subproject: View all 41 publications for this subproject | View all 89 publications for this center

Journal Articles:

Journal Articles have been submitted on this subproject: View all 34 journal articles for this subproject | View all 64 journal articles for this center

Supplemental Keywords:

time series, susceptible populations, risk estimates,, RFA, Health, PHYSICAL ASPECTS, Scientific Discipline, Air, particulate matter, Health Risk Assessment, Epidemiology, Risk Assessments, Physical Processes, atmospheric particulate matter, acute cardiovascular effects, long term exposure, atmospheric particles, airway disease, exposure, ambient particle health effects, human exposure, ultrafine particulate matter, atmospheric aerosol particles, aersol particles, cardiovascular disease

Progress and Final Reports:

Main Center Abstract and Reports:

R832417 Center for the Study of Childhood Asthma in the Urban Environment

Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R832417C001 Estimation of the Risks to Human Health of PM and PM Components
R832417C002 PM Characterization and Exposure Assessment (Project 2)
R832417C003 Biological Assessment of the Toxicity of PM and PM Components

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The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.