Grantee Research Project Results
2016 Progress Report: Air Pollution Impacts on Neonatal and Early Childhood Development
EPA Grant Number: R836155C001Subproject: this is subproject number 001 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R836155
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: Center for Research on Early Childhood Exposure and Development in Puerto Rico
Center Director: Alshawabkeh, Akram
Title: Air Pollution Impacts on Neonatal and Early Childhood Development
Investigators: MacIntosh, Helen Suh , Cordero, Jose F. , Zimmerman, Emily , Manjourides, Justin
Current Investigators: MacIntosh, Helen Suh , Cordero, Jose F. , Zimmerman, Emily , Manjourides, Justin , Grashow, Rachel
Institution: Northeastern University , University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences Campus
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: September 1, 2015 through August 31, 2019 (Extended to August 31, 2021)
Project Period Covered by this Report: September 1, 2015 through August 31,2016
RFA: Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Centers (2014) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Human Health , Children's Health
Objective:
Our study will provide new evidence of the impacts of air pollution on neonatal and early childhood development for infants and children living in Puerto Rico and of factors that affect susceptibility to air pollution’s harmful impacts. We will do so by leveraging the success of PROTECT, our cohort study of 1800 pregnant women in Puerto Rico for whom a rich dataset of environmental, health, social, demographic, and behavioral factors are being collected. To these data, we will add measurements of air pollution exposures, early childhood development, and non-nutritive suck (NNS), a measure of newborn central nervous system function that has not yet been used to assess neonatal development in environmental epidemiology.
We will use these data to achieve three aims:
- assess the association of air pollution on adverse birth outcomes;
- determine the impact of air pollution on child development; and
- examine effect modification of the air pollution–adverse health relationship by social and personal factors, including socio-economic status, maternal stress, birth outcomes, other pollutant exposures, and housing characteristics.
Progress Summary:
In the first period of the study, we have performed several key activities focused on establishing the tools and infrastructure to begin health and exposure monitoring for our cohort in Puerto Rico. These activities are described briefly below.
Exposure Measures: Air Pollution Monitoring Sites: We performed several activities needed to begin to measure weekly fine particle (PM2.5) concentrations at each of three stationary ambient monitoring (SAM) sites on the north shore of Puerto Rico.
- PM2.5 Samplers. We tested and subsequently purchased PM2.5 samplers together with associated equipment (such as impactors, pumps, sampling boxes, inlets, rain shields, timers, filters, flow meters, etc.). Sampling systems were then constructed to meet our specifications for weekly monitoring, with this construction complete at the beginning of March 2016.
- Sampling Preparation. We created field logs and sampling protocols for PM2.5 sampling, analysis, and shipping. Further, we also pre-weighed filters for PM2.5 analysis and pre-analyzed filters using reflectance for BC analysis. We also trained field technicians on PM2.5 sampling, including sampler preparation, set up, and changes, sampling flow rate calibration, and field data entry.
- Sampling Site Identification. Puerto Rico investigators and field technicians from Northeastern visited potential air pollution monitoring sites in Manatí, Arecibo, and Morovis, Puerto Rico. These potential sites were evaluated based on their (1) location close to participant homes but far away from major PM2.5 sources, (2) site characteristics such as the lack of trees, at least 10-20 meters of open space, and the presence of a nearby electricity source, and (3) monitor placement including whether we could place monitors in a secure area with inlets at least 4 feet off the ground and no taller than a 4 story building. Based on this assessment, we identified one site in each city that met our criteria, including the backyard of CRECE’s Manatí office space and the rooftop of the Morovis hospital. We received formal approvals for the Manatí and Morovis locations. We have also identified a site in Arecibo on the University of Puerto Rico campus; we are currently awaiting approval to begin sampling at this site.
- Training and Sampling. We trained field technicians on sampling, record-keeping and shipping procedures. In addition, we set up monitoring sites and began sampling in Manatí and Morovis. We also began collecting filters for toxicity assays to be performed for Project 2.
Health Measures
- Non-nutritive suck (NNS): The custom NNS cart has been built, tested, and sent to Puerto Rico. Members of the CRECE team have been trained on how to sample NNS in young infants. We are ready to start sampling NNS once IRB approval is attained.
- Neurodevelopmental Follow-up outcomes: The clinical team that will be completing the BDI-2 for the follow-up has been trained. Also, a clinical office space, where we will complete the follow-up testing, has been established and is ready to start seeing children for follow-up once IRB approval is attained.
Future Activities:
We plan to obtain approval, set up the monitoring site, and begin air pollution monitoring at the Arecibo site by July 2016. We also plan to talk with Puerto Rico and EPA officials about obtaining and analyzing their previously sampled PM2.5 filters for black carbon and elements. We plan to begin NNS and neurodevelopmental assessments by July 2016.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 2 publications for this subprojectSupplemental Keywords:
air pollution, metals, neurodevelopment, adverse birth outcomes;Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractMain Center Abstract and Reports:
R836155 Center for Research on Early Childhood Exposure and Development in Puerto Rico Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R836155C001 Air Pollution Impacts on Neonatal and Early Childhood Development
R836155C002 Toxicogenomics-based Mechanistic Multimedia Exposure Assessment and Child Development
R836155C003 Biomarker Epidemiology of In Utero Environmental Exposures and Child Development
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.
Project Research Results
Main Center: R836155
68 publications for this center
47 journal articles for this center