Grantee Research Project Results
2016 Progress Report: Novel exposure metrics for assessing the effects of ultrafine and fine particulate matter on asthma in children
EPA Grant Number: R836152C002Subproject: this is subproject number 002 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R836152
(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: Novel exposure metrics for assessing the effects of ultrafine and fine particulate matter on asthma in children
Investigators: Koehler, Kirsten , Matsui, Elizabeth C.
Current Investigators: Koehler, Kirsten
Institution: The Johns Hopkins University
EPA Project Officer: Callan, Richard
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:
The goal of this project is to determine which potentially modifiable factors of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), including ultrafine particles, microenvironmental and peak exposures are associated with asthma symptoms in children. A second, related objective is to evaluate the effects of these fine PM factors on overweight children with asthma. Together, such evidence will allow us to build individualized environmental intervention strategies that target susceptible populations.
Progress Summary:
In preparation for launching this study, we have received IRB approval, hired study staff and had them complete all necessary training courses, and formed and met with a community advisory board. We also purchased necessary study equipment and prepared for screening and enrollment, with recruitment planned to begin in July 2016 for the pilot study.
The study coordinators have worked with the Data Core to develop a REDCap database to record study data for this project, including study participant tracking and report systems. The manual of operations is in development and we have established a Johns Hopkins Box account to share study materials using a secured institutional cloud.
The Environmental Core has developed the environmental data collection protocol for the project, trained laboratory and field staff on environmental data collection procedures, and have been holding weekly meetings with the project staff and PI to evaluate exposure assessment strategy, logistics and begin training.
The Community Core established a new relationship with the Community Engagement Program of the ICTR, which supports a Community Research Advisory Council (C-RAC) comprised of diverse Baltimore City community residents and stakeholders. The C-RAC now serves as the community advisory board for the project. Two meetings have been held, one specifically convened to discuss how best to address issues around recruitment and retention. The project investigators have reviewed and selected a range of literacy-appropriate educational materials for community dissemination on asthma, healthy eating and air quality. Staff have begun participating in a regular community health education activity called “Day at the Market”, where there was an opportunity to distribute health promotion materials and answer questions about respiratory health and the environment from members of our community.
Future Activities:
We plan to carry out the following tasks during the next reporting period:
Finalize Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) – The SOPs to be practiced by field and technical staff have been mostly developed and will be finalized to ensure the harmonized implementation of the study.
Conduct Pilot Study – During the main trial, we will be monitoring children’s personal Particle Number Concentration (PNC) and PM2.5 data at high temporal and spatial resolution using personal air quality monitors inside of backpacks to assess the importance of fine PM factors (particle size, variability in concentrations, peak exposures) on asthma outcomes in children. Therefore, it is very important to ensure, as much as possible, that the obtained data represent the children’s personal exposure in different microenvironments and as they move from one to another throughout the data collection period. To do so, we plan to conduct a pilot study to assess how compliant the children are with carrying these backpacks while they go about their daily routines, and assess strategies to improve compliance. Fifteen children will be selected for this pilot study, to begin early summer 2016. They will be asked to carry for 2 days a backpack similar to the one to be used for the Particulate Exposures in Asthmatic Kids (PEAK) main trial. The data to be collected will include those measured by the direct-reading instruments in the study backpack (i.e., air quality and GPS data) and the information from a questionnaire on the participants’ daily activities, visited places, means of transportation used, and general opinion of carrying the study backpack. The obtained information will be used to assess the participants’ compliance. Similar to the PEAK main trial, this pilot study will also include visiting the participants’ homes to train them on using the backpack, to have them complete the time activity questionnaires, and to ask them to provide feedback on their experience with carrying the backpack. This data will inform final study procedures.
Recruit Participants – We plan to start the PEAK main trial recruitment phase in late August 2016. The study participants will be a subset of children aged 12-17. The children will be Baltimore city residents with persistent asthma. Final study procedures will be developed in early August using the pilot data collected earlier in the summer.
Supplemental Keywords:
ultrafine particles, peak exposure, overweight children, asthma exacerbation, inner city, PMProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractMain Center Abstract and Reports:
R836152 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).
R836152C001 Investigating obesity as a susceptibility factor for air pollution in childhood
R836152C002 Novel exposure metrics for assessing the effects of ultrafine and fine particulate matter on asthma in children
R836152C003 The Role of Obesity in Biological Responses to Particulate Matter in Mice
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.