Grantee Research Project Results
2014 Progress Report: Subsistence Hunting and Associated Activities of Native North Americans in Remote Communities: Measurement of Indoor Air Quality in Tents as Related to Wood-Smoke Exposures, and the Identification of Potential Health Risks
EPA Grant Number: R835605Title: Subsistence Hunting and Associated Activities of Native North Americans in Remote Communities: Measurement of Indoor Air Quality in Tents as Related to Wood-Smoke Exposures, and the Identification of Potential Health Risks
Investigators: Peltier, Richard E , Tsuji, Leonard J , Liberda, Eric N
Institution: University of Massachusetts - Amherst , Ryerson University , University of Toronto
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: May 1, 2014 through April 30, 2017 (Extended to April 30, 2018)
Project Period Covered by this Report: May 1, 2014 through April 30,2015
Project Amount: $700,000
RFA: Science for Sustainable and Healthy Tribes (2013) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Tribal Environmental Health Research , Human Health
Objective:
The objectives of this research are as follows: i) to measure indoor air quality in tents used for subsistence hunting activities by characterizing wood-smoke, aerosol components; ii) to determine the resultant biological effects associated with exposure to wood-smoke aerosol components; and iii) to provide recommendations for system improvements based on intervention strategies in a population of Native North American hunters living in subarctic North America. Doing so will greatly reduce exposures to the most susceptible populations and allow continued practice of an important Tribal activity.
Progress Summary:
The first year of this project has successfully completed the first phase of observations, including primary data collection and analysis of controlled wood burning activities in teepees, as well as the first round of field measurements in remote communities.
1) Appropriate equipment and supplies were positioned within the First Nation Community to support the duration of this study.
2) Controlled burning within a teepee was monitored for levels of particulate matter (PM) and black carbon (BC), including offline chemical speciation.
3) Samples were returned to our laboratory at the University of Massachusetts and analyzed for metals, ions, and carbonaceous material analysis.
4) 8 individuals were recruited to volunteer as study participants for the remote research aspects of this study.
5) Instrumentation packages were set up at four hunting locations, including suites of central monitoring setups as well as personal monitoring setups. These locations are in remote backcountry locations, inaccessible by road. Central monitoring was conducted for 2-4 weeks (depending on site), and personal sampling was conducted for 8 individuals. Sampling also included online measures of BC and PM2.5, with offline measurements of passive sampling gases and chemical speciation of PM.
6) Biological samples, including dried blood spots and urine, were collected and returned to the laboratory for storage and future analysis.
Future Activities:
The project schedule is generally on track and progressing along expected trajectories. We are in the middle of the most intensive data collection efforts, which will continue through spring 2016. An increase in laboratory-based work intensity will transition upwards, with a gradual decrease in field work.
Field work: Additional field measurements are anticipated for June 2015 which includes an intensive game smoking/preservation event with many expected participants. This is to take place in Fort Albany itself. We are also preparing follow up monitoring in the field in fall 2015, as well as deployment of intervention strategies and continued monitoring in the field for Spring 2016. We continue to be in close contact with the EPA Human Subjects Office with respect to suitability of performing intervention activities within this population. It is possible that some of the approaches may need to be altered to comply with EPA policy.
Laboratory analyses: We have collected more than 150 filters for follow up chemical speciation and analysis, and have an extensive quantity of online measurements of aerosol from a variety of instrumentation. We anticipate a significant increase in effort devoted to laboratory-based chemical analysis over the next year. These include analysis of air pollution filters by ion chromatography, organic and elemental carbon, XRF, and other spectroscopy techniques. Biological samples will be processed for a variety of inflammation biomarkers, PAH metabolites, and levoglucosan.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 9 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
PM exposure, biomass, wood smoke, indoor air quality, chemical composition, Native North AmericansProgress 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.