Grantee Research Project Results

2024 Progress Report: Children’s Environmental Health Center In U.S. Southern Great Plains

EPA Grant Number: R840630
Title: Children’s Environmental Health Center In U.S. Southern Great Plains
Investigators: Cai, Changjie , Li, Dan , Horm, Diane , Li, Hongwan , Lemberger-Truelove, Matthew , Yang, Anni , Cheng, Wenwen
Institution: Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma Health Sci Ct , University of North Texas - Hlth Sci Ctr at Ft Worth , University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
EPA Project Officer: Brooks, Donald
Project Period: October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2027
Project Period Covered by this Report: October 1, 2023 through September 30,2024
Project Amount: $1,898,738
RFA: Center for Early Lifestage Vulnerabilities to Environmental Stressors - Cumulative Health Impacts for Children in Underserved Rural Agricultural Communities in the United States Request for Applications (RFA) (2023) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: Children's Health

Objective:

The overarching objective of this Center is to reduce children’s school absenteeism caused by chemical and non-chemical environmental stressors in underserved, rural agricultural communities.

Progress Summary:

In the first year, designated as the preparation year, we have successfully completed several foundational tasks necessary for the project's success. Key accomplishments include:

• IRB Approval:

Successfully prepared and obtained multi-site IRB approvals from both institutions and the EPA. Detailed IRB documents include consent forms for children, teachers, parents, early childhood center directors, school administrators, center staff, and school counselors. Other documents include a research protocol outline, baseline health assessments, environmental questionnaires, HIPAA Authorization form, recruitment flyer, educational program, and demographic questionnaires, etc.

• Equipment/Model Setup, Testing, and Evaluation:

Completed the setup of the qPCR (CFX Opus 384) in the Biosafety Level 2 (BSL) Laboratory for viral analysis, targeting viruses such as RSV, Influenza A, Influenza B, SARS-CoV-2, and Norovirus. Collected and tested field environmental samples, detecting all targeted viruses. Tested low-cost monitors that measure various environmental variables, including particulate matter, TVOCs, NOx, CO, noise, temperature, and humidity. Set up two WRF-Chem domains, with additional domains to be determined based on future school recruitment locations.

• Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP):

Completed and obtained approval for the QAPP, which includes sections on project management, measurement/data acquisition, assessment/oversight, and data validation/usability.

• Staffing and Personnel Updates:

Recruited Dr. Zheying Sun as the Research Project Manager for the Children’s Environmental Health Center. Approved position changes for key personnel: Dr. Dan Li moved to the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, and Dr. Wenwen Cheng moved to the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

• External and Internal Advisory Board Formation:

Confirmed members for the External Advisory Board, including experts from Colorado State University, Rural Health Information Hub, Syracuse University, and the Office of Head Start.

Confirmed members for the Internal Advisory Board, including professors and medical professionals from the University of North Texas, OU Health Sciences, and the University of Oklahoma.

Future Activities:

In the upcoming reporting period, we plan to:

• Begin data collection and analysis from the participating sites.
• Implement Interventions A and B at the selected sites.
• Conduct training sessions and workshops for teachers, staff, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with all IRB and EPA HSRRO requirements, including submitting necessary IRB renewal applications and amendments.

Supplemental Keywords:

rural, underserved, chemical, non-chemical, environmental stressors, school absenteeism, cumulative health impacts, assessment strategy, interventions, air pollutants, social determinants of health, climate change, early childhood, stakeholder-driven

Relevant Websites:

Environmental Protection Agency - Children’s Environmental Health Center In U.S. Southern Great Plains