Grantee Research Project Results

2004 Progress Report: Data Collection Platforms for Integrated Longitudinal Surveys of Human Exposure-Related Behavior

EPA Grant Number: R831541
Title: Data Collection Platforms for Integrated Longitudinal Surveys of Human Exposure-Related Behavior
Investigators: Whitmore, Roy , Kizakevich, Paul
Institution: Desert Research Institute
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: May 1, 2004 through April 30, 2008
Project Period Covered by this Report: May 1, 2004 through April 30,2005
Project Amount: $4,998,513
RFA: Aggregate Exposure Assessment: Longitudinal Surveys of Human Exposure - Related Behavior (2003) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Human Health

Objective:

We are developing and validating innovative methods for accurately collecting exposure factor data in longitudinal surveys, including time/activity/location/exertion-level (TALE) data; dietary consumption data; and data on use of consumer products, including pesticide products, household cleaning products, and personal care products. We are investigating innovations including voice diaries, passive microenvironment identification, wireless interfaces, intelligent prompting, and automated daily review to collect the data both accurately and with low participant burden. We are assembling integrated data collection platforms and will test the methodology in three phases: (1) with individual volunteers, (2) pilot testing in 40 homes, and (3) field testing through collection of data for 7 consecutive days in each quarter over 2 years in each of 150 homes.

Progress Summary:

This first year of the grant was devoted to development of a Systems Requirements Document, recruitment of an advisory Panel of Experts and Stakeholders, and development of survey instruments and technologies. Our Year 1 accomplishments include the following:
We recruited a panel of over 20 experts and stakeholders to provide advice and consultation at various decision points in the project
From May through October 2004, we developed a 67-page System Requirements Document (SRD) that described the requirements that we planned to use as development specifications for each of the systems that we planned to develop.
Early in November, we electronically distributed our SRD to our Panel of Experts and Stakeholders and solicited their advice. We used the occasion of another meeting in Washington, DC, in December 2004 to meet with some of those experts and stakeholders and discuss our research plans. We received advice from ten of the panel members.
From November 2004 through April 2005, we have been developing the data collection components listed below. We have focused on methodologies to obtain the data needed to support two human exposure assessment models: the APEX model for exposures to combustion by-products and the CARES model for exposures to pesticide residues. Some of the data collection components are included as benchmarks against which to test the more innovative methodologies.
Household screening questionnaire programmed for administration on a Pocket PC.
Participant and household characterization questionnaire programmed for administration on a Pocket PC.
Four activity/location data collection methodologies: (a) a paper diary, (b) a diary programmed for administration on a Pocket PC, (c) a methodology for obtaining the data via voice recordings, and (d) a methodology for obtaining periodic (e.g., every 60 seconds) wide-angle photographs of the subject’s environment from which activity/location data can be ascertained. Considerable effort was devoted to developing response categories that are compatible with CHAD location and activity codes while not presenting an overwhelming burden to the participant.
Three methodologies for collection of dietary data: (a) a paper diary, (b) a diary programmed for the Pocket PC, and (c) a methodology for obtaining the data via voice recordings. Considerable research went into determining the minimal level of dietary data needed to accurately assess human exposures to pesticide residues.
Pocket PC programs were developed for inventorying each participating household’s (a) pesticide products, (b) household cleaning products, and (c) personal care products.
Key FOB devices were developed that will allow households to report usage of consumer products by simply pressing a button attached to or placed near each product. A signal will be wirelessly transmitted from the key FOB to the Pocket PC, which will record what product was used, as well as the date and time it was used.
Both paper diaries and Pocket PC programs were developed for tracking household use of consumer products.
A digital scale was selected for weighing aerosol pesticide products before and after use. The scale will wirelessly transmit the weights to the Pocket PC.
Several technologies are under review and development, including the commercial product ActiHeart (http://www.minimitter.com/Products/Actiheart/ Exit ), for obtaining data that will allow accurate estimation of energy expenditure as participants go about their normal daily activities.
RF transmitters are under development that we plan to use to passively determine the room in which the participant is located whenever at home.
Three Bluetooth earpiece devices have been selected for testing the voice mode of data collection.
Two GPS devices have been selected for testing collection of location data.

Future Activities:

During Year 2 of the grant, we will (as originally proposed) test the methodologies with individual volunteers, conduct a 40-home pilot test, refine the methodologies, and begin a 150-home field test.

Journal Articles:

No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 12 publications for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

aggregate exposure, cumulative risk, microenvironmental exposure models, exposure profiles, data collection platforms, dietary exposure, exposure assessment, food consumption behavior, Health, Scientific Discipline, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, HUMAN HEALTH, Health Risk Assessment, Risk Assessments, Biology, Exposure, Biochemistry, Risk Assessment, dietary exposure, toxicity, micro environmental influences, data collection platforms, human exposure, long term exposure, food consumption habits, household study, human activities, food consumption behavior, human health risk

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

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.