Grantee Research Project Results
2010 Progress Report: Near Roadways Exposure to Urban Air Pollutants Study (NEXUS)
EPA Grant Number: R834117Title: Near Roadways Exposure to Urban Air Pollutants Study (NEXUS)
Investigators: Batterman, Stuart A. , Lewis, Toby C. , Mukherjee, Bhramar , Dion, F , Robins, Thomas
Institution: University of Michigan
EPA Project Officer: Chung, Serena
Project Period: March 1, 2009 through February 29, 2012 (Extended to February 28, 2014)
Project Period Covered by this Report: May 1, 2010 through May 30,2011
Project Amount: $1,399,973
RFA: Health Effects of Near-Roadway Exposures to Air Pollution (2008) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Particulate Matter , Air
Objective:
The Near Roadways Exposure to Urban Air Pollutants Study (NEXUS) has the objectives of: (1) understanding the types and severity of respiratory and cardiovascular outcomes in children with asthma that are associated with near-road exposures to air pollutants, and (2) characterizing the pollutants and exposures associated with these outcomes. We will examine a diverse and innovative set of respiratory health outcomes and interactions that are hypothesized to be associated with near-road-way exposures to air pollutants. Specifically, we will evaluate three health effect domains: asthma aggravation (lung function, symptoms), inflammation and oxidative stress (exhaled nitric oxide, nasal cytokines, urinary isoprostanes), and respiratory viral infections (frequency, severity, type) in order to explore a number of hypotheses: Which measures of traffic-associated pollution are most closely associated with asthma aggravation? Do children with asthma who are highly exposed to traffic, particularly diesel exhaust, exhibit more inflammation and oxidative stress? Does traffic exposure influence the likelihood of respiratory viral infections? How much error (exposure misclassification) is caused by the use of community monitoring versus indoor monitoring and exposure modeling, and what impact does this have on the effect size and statistical confidence of odds ratios relating exposures to health outcomes? These and other questions will be examined using an observational approach, which is highly relevant to real world conditions, focusing on children with persistent asthma, who tend to be highly susceptible to air pollutants.
This research is undertaken as a cooperative agreement with U.S. EPA, which is partnering with the University of Michigan (UM) researchers. In brief, U.S. EPA is conducting most of the exposure related measurements; UM is conducting most of the health related measurements. The study is designed and implemented as a community-based participatory research (CBPR), and includes monthly meetings and other interactions of a community- and Detroit-based steering committee, an element of the Community Allies Against Asthma (CAAA) coalition.
Progress Summary:
In Year 2, we started and concluded data collection for NEXUS cohort I. Key activities included: (1) enrolling 53 study participants (Fall 2010) in the NEXUS study, (2) collecting health measurements data, (3) collecting exposure measurements on a subset of participants, and (4) establishing processes to ensure regular, ongoing, coordinated interaction, planning, learning and feedback between UM, US EPA, contractors/subcontractors and community partners including effective use of shared resources and optimal efficiency.
In late September 2010, 25 participants participated in exposure measurements conducted in large part by US EPA. Exposure measurements were repeated mid-March 2011 on 18 participants, involving indoor and outdoor measurements, time activity diaries, GPS (added during Spring monitoring period) and accelerometers on participants, some surveys, dust collection, and other activities, as well as outdoor measurements at 2 area schools.
Future Activities:
In June 2011, we will begin participant recruitment and baseline health and exposure data collection for NEXUS cohort II. We will continue to be guided by CBPR principles and community partners will continue to be involved in all aspects of our research. We believe that their input ensures the appropriateness of study methods, thereby improving recruitment, retention and the relevance and quality of the research.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 39 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
ambient air, health effects, susceptibility, epidemiology, Midwest, Region 5, transportation, human health, air, scientific discipline, RFA, physical aspects, health, health risk assessment, physical processes, particulate matter, allergens, children's health, air toxics, air pollution, airborne pollutants, children, exposure, asthma triggers, asthma, human exposure, PM, RFA, Health, Scientific Discipline, PHYSICAL ASPECTS, Air, HUMAN HEALTH, particulate matter, Health Risk Assessment, Allergens/Asthma, Health Effects, Physical Processes, asthma, children's health, asthma triggers, air toxics, exposure, air pollution, children, air pollutant, human exposure, airborne pollutants, PMProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe 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.