Grantee Research Project Results

From Home to School: Tribal Indoor Air Quality Intervention Study

EPA Grant Number: R835596
Title: From Home to School: Tribal Indoor Air Quality Intervention Study
Investigators: Shaughnessy, Richard J , Khan, Sohail
Institution: University of Tulsa , Navajo Nation - EPA and Dept. of Diné Education , Nimiipuu Health , Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals , University of Oklahoma , Cherokee Nation Environmental Program and Health Services
Current Institution: University of Tulsa , Cherokee Nation Environmental Program and Health Services , Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals , Navajo Nation - EPA and Dept. of Diné Education , Nimiipuu Health , University of Oklahoma
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: June 1, 2014 through May 31, 2018
Project Amount: $919,988
RFA: Science for Sustainable and Healthy Tribes (2013) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Tribal Environmental Health Research , Human Health

Objective:

By improving indoor air quality (IAQ) and reducing environmental asthma triggers this study intends to reduce asthma symptoms related to tribal home-&-school childhood exposures. The study will demonstrate the importance of a total exposure approach based on traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). TEK from 3 tribes in different regions/climates will refine education, source control of allergens by targeted cleaning and other asthma trigger removal activities, ventilation and air cleaning interventions that reduce asthma triggers.

Approach:

Observational pre-test/post-test study with matched case-control to determine impact of asthma trigger reduction interventions on asthma symptom days. The interventions are based on developing a deeper understanding and respect for the living and non-living interactions in and between school and home environments that is the hallmark of TEK. The attention to both school and home environments will embody a more complete profile of total exposure of the tribal children throughout the day.

Expected Results:

The number of days that tribal school children with asthma are absent from school each year are expected to decrease 45% or 2.5 days because of fewer asthma symptom days.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 10 publications for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

airborne contaminants, student attendance, cleaning, Q Method, ANCOVA, ATP (adenosine triphosphate), dust sampling, schools, asthma, allergens, Cherokee Nation, Navajo Nation, Nez Perce Tribe, Nimiipuu, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Idaho, and EPA Regions 6 & 10

Progress and Final Reports:

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.