Grantee Research Project Results

Urban Air Pollution and Persistent Early Life Asthma

EPA Grant Number: R831861C001
Subproject: this is subproject number 001 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R831861
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: Southern California Children's Environmental Health Center
Center Director: McConnell, Rob Scot
Title: Urban Air Pollution and Persistent Early Life Asthma
Investigators: Gilliland, Frank D.
Institution: University of Southern California
EPA Project Officer: Callan, Richard
Project Period: November 1, 2003 through October 31, 2008 (Extended to October 31, 2010)
RFA: Centers for Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research (2003) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Children's Health , Human Health

Objective:

The objective of this community-based participatory research project is to evaluate the relationship between early life asthma and traffic-related air pollution. We are examining this question in a case-control study of asthma persisting to school entry, but with onset earlier in life, in children resident in the same home since before age 2. We hypothesized that susceptibility to ambient air pollution will vary based on genotype for GSTM1, GSTP1, NQO1, HO-1, and TNFα, genes involved in the biologic response to oxidant air pollutants. Lifetime exposure will be assessed by calibrating home measurements to the extensive historical exposure assessment from a monitor in each community, which will operate continuously during the lifetime of participants. Community participation in promoting the study to participants and in data collection and interpretation will enhance both the quality of Center research and the environmental action plans for families of children with asthma in ongoing projects of the community partners. A steering committee representing university and community research partners and policy makers will work closely with the Community Outreach and Translation Core (COTC) to provide the scientific basis necessary for developing policy for the more widespread protection of children from the effects of air pollution.

The specific objectives of the research project are to: (1) identify the population for the proposed case-control study; (2) collect information from parents of participants to assess asthma, activity patterns, and risk factors for asthma, using a structured telephone interview, which also will be administered by Community Study Liaisons; (3) assess the relationship between residential exposure to ambient traffic-related air pollutants and asthma among cases and controls, using information from the Exposure Assessment and Modeling Core; (4) develop tools for assessment of traffic within 100 meters of homes with COTC Neighborhood Assessment Teams composed of community volunteers selected by community research partners; (5) genotype cases and controls for polymorphisms in GSTM1, GSTP1, HO-1, NQO1, and TNFα and assess how these polymorphisms modify the relationship between air pollutants and asthma; (6) assess the burden of asthma-related disease attributable to air pollution in all children living in two communities represented by the community partners, using results from this study and from existing literature; (7) develop a series of community forums with the COTC to discuss the public health burden of air pollution for asthma; (8) integrate new information on air pollution into the environmental action plans developed with families of children with asthma by all community health workers working in service programs of community partners; (9) foster discussion among partners through an active steering committee and through presentation of results at meetings of partner organizations; and (10) participate with the COTC in seminars, community forums, and in the critique of policy initiatives by providing the best scientific evidence available on air pollution and childhood asthma.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this subproject: View all 145 publications for this subproject | View all 202 publications for this center

Journal Articles:

Journal Articles have been submitted on this subproject: View all 92 journal articles for this subproject | View all 131 journal articles for this center

Supplemental Keywords:

asthma, children, susceptibility, community, children’s health, health effects, risk assessment, airway disease, allergen, asthma, childhood respiratory disease, children’s environmental health, community-based intervention, outreach and education, respiratory problems,, RFA, Health, Scientific Discipline, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Air, HUMAN HEALTH, Health Risk Assessment, Environmental Chemistry, Health Effects, Biochemistry, mobile sources, Environmental Monitoring, Children's Health, Risk Assessment, asthma, engine exhaust, traffic, community-based intervention, airway disease, respiratory problems, automotive emissions, Human Health Risk Assessment, automotive exhaust, childhood respiratory disease, susceptibility, ambient particle pollution, children's environmental health, outreach and education

Progress and Final Reports:

Main Center Abstract and Reports:

R831861 Southern California Children's Environmental Health Center

Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R831861C001 Urban Air Pollution and Persistent Early Life Asthma
R831861C002 Pollution-Enhanced Allergic Inflammation and Phase II Enzymes
R831861C003 Air Pollution, Exhaled Breath Markers, and Asthma in Susceptible Children

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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.