Grantee Research Project Results
2017 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
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 30, 2016 through June 30,2017
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, micro-environmental 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 this susceptible population.
Specific Aim 1: Evaluate the relationship between ultrafine particles (UFP) and fine particles and asthma symptoms, lung function, and inflammatory biomarkers among asthmatic children. A backpack containing air pollution monitoring equipment for ultrafine particle number concentration (PNC) and fine particulates (PM2.5 mass) and a GPS receiver will be provided to each child for this repeated-measures panel study. Concurrent with the personal exposure assessment, we will collect information on participant symptoms, lung function, urinary leukotriene E4 (uLTE4) and exhaled NO daily.
Specific Aim 2: Evaluate the contribution of peak exposure to cumulative exposure and estimate its effects in inner city children with asthma. We will calculate the contribution of peak exposures (PNC and PM2.5 mass) to 24-hour cumulative exposure. We will ask children and parents about activities during each 24-hour period to assess the role of sources on peak exposures (e.g., cooking).
Specific Aim 3: Evaluate the role of weight as a susceptibility factor for the impact of UFP and peak PM exposure on asthma outcomes. Approximately half the children in this study will have BMI > 85th percentile and half will be lean.
Progress Summary:
We have presented preliminary results to the scientific community at large at the International Society of Exposure Scientists and International Society of Environmental Epidemiologists (ISES) annual meeting in October 2016. Seasonal variability of data was observed, particularly for CO and NO2 with much higher levels in winter. Pending manuscript will be under way after further analysis has been performed.
In addition to attending the annual meeting and preparing the publication, our team closely collaborated with the Project 1 (AIRWEIGHS: Investigating Obesity as a Susceptibility Factor for Air Pollution in Childhood Asthma) study team in different aspects of the project such as developing the materials, discussing the study logistics and sharing information weekly. One of the outcomes of this close collaboration with the AIRWEIGHS team has been the development of the necessary Standards of Practice (SOPs) to be used in the PEAK study. All SOPs are complete and being followed by all field and laboratory staff. Study questionnaires also have been developed in the REDCap database for the participating children and parents, which will ask about asthma health, medications, diet, and physical activity as part of their enrollment in the study. Questionnaires also have been developed to ask about daily exposures and activities that may contribute to asthma health.
In summer-fall of 2016, we conducted and completed the pilot study. This pilot study aimed to assess the compliance of children ages 12-17 with carrying the air monitoring backpacks while they go about their daily routines.
We tested different methods to remind the children to carry the backpack to determine efficacy and acceptability by the study participants including activity sensors, text message reminders. We found participants to be highly compliant with study protocols and willing to respond to text message prompts to report daily symptoms.
The main PEAK trial launched in February 2017, and to date we have completed data collection for 14 participants.
Future Activities:
To continue recruiting participants from a subset of children ages 10-17 who are participants of the AIRWEIGHS. Given that the goal of PEAK is to capture exposures at home, school and other microenvironments commonly visited by children, it will be necessary to take a break during the summer school vacations, and during this time we will do a detailed analysis of the data collected. We also will finalize the development of software that will allow frequent quality control of the data and to detect peak exposures.
Supplemental Keywords:
Ultrafine particles, peak exposure, overweight children, asthma exacerbation, inner cityProgress 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.