Grantee Research Project Results
2004 Progress Report: Community-Based Research Project Identifying Residential Hazards Using Home Test Kits
EPA Grant Number: R829389C003Subproject: this is subproject number 003 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R829389
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: CECEHDPR - University of Cincinnati Center for the Study of Prevalent Neurotoxicants in Children
Center Director: Lanphear, Bruce
Title: Community-Based Research Project Identifying Residential Hazards Using Home Test Kits
Investigators: Lanphear, Bruce , Khoury, Jane , Dietrich, Kim , Roda, Sandy
Current Investigators: Roda, Sandy
Institution: Children Hospital of Cincinnati , University of Cincinnati
Current Institution: University of Cincinnati
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: November 1, 2001 through October 31, 2006
Project Period Covered by this Report: November 1, 2003 through October 31, 2004
RFA: Centers for Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research (2001) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Children's Health , Human Health
Objective:
The objective of this research project is to provide information about residential environmental hazards. A cross-sectional, stratified study design will be used for this project. All children who are younger than 5 years of age and have a venipuncture blood sample taken at the Babies Milk Fund Clinic will be eligible for this study. Stratification will be used to enroll about 33 percent of the sample with blood lead concentrations of below 5 μg/dL, 33 percent between 5 to 10 μg/dL, and 33 percent with 10 μg/dL or higher.
Progress Summary:
The Healthy Homes Resource Center was established at the Cincinnati Better Housing League (BHL). This was the first component of the study and part of the community outreach project. Opening of the Center occurred in December 2002, with a press release and attendance by community members. The BHL’s Healthy Homes Resource Center is a part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Healthy Homes Initiative.
As part of this initiative, the Resource Center was designed to: (1) create awareness about indoor environmental hazards, (2) provide information regarding these hazards and how to avoid and/or correct them, and (3) make these resources known and available to those populations who might not have access to the Internet.
Initially, the Center was located at BHL’s main office. Recently, however, the BHL moved to a new site, and the Center is being reconstructed at this time. The new site has increased space and more visibility than the area at the old location. The Healthy Homes Web Site also will be updated with information on the new location. The Center consists of three main resources: pamphlets, videos, and computer/Internet. The Web site designed for the Center can be found at http://www.healthyhomestoday.com Exit . The Web site provides information on the Resource Center, hazards in the home, and links to other sites for more information.
Our community partner, the BHL, created a video with the assistance of the PPS Advertising Group. The video contains three 30-second spots about the dangers of lead exposure to children. One focused on children living in homes built before 1978, another focused on homes built before 1978 that had been renovated, and the third focused on the effects of lead poisoning on behavior. The video encourages viewers to telephone the BHL for information. The video was shown as a public service announcement throughout the Cincinnati metropolitan area over several months.
Continued Activities and Outreach Within the Center
Bimonthly Newsletter. The Resource Center publishes a bimonthly newsletter entitled “News You Can Use.” It is being prepared with the help of scientists from the Environmental Health Department at the University of Cincinnati and includes helpful information about indoor environmental hazards and tips on how to keep a home or apartment healthy and safe.
Healthy Homes Resource Center Pamphlet. This pamphlet discusses the objectives of the Center, the available resources, and contact information. It has been distributed to partner organizations and other groups to inform them about the Center. The pamphlet also will need revision because of the relocation of the BHL.
Sampling. The pesticide sampling kit was developed, and evaluation of the dust wipe collection media was established. Institutional Review Board approval was gained for all questions, forms, and letters. Recruitment was begun, and subjects were accepted into the study, followed by the resident sampling and sampling by trained technicians. After sampling, the technician conducts an interview with the participant to acquire additional demographic and residential information, as well as the participants’ perception of both the lead and pesticide sampling kits. It is anticipated that all 200 residences will be completed during the next year. At this time, 362 recruitment letters have been mailed, 20 first visits (kit drop-off) have been conducted, and 15 second home visits (sample pick-up and technician sampling) have been completed. To enhance the recruitment process, informational flyers were located at the clinic sites.
Future Activities:
Additional clinics for recruitment are being investigated.
Supplemental Keywords:
toxicology, ADHD behavioral assessment, behavioral deficit, genetic susceptibility, pesticides, biomarkers, environmental agents, exposure, exposure assessment, hearing loss, lead, meconium, neurotoxicity, pesticide exposure, risk assessment, toxicants,, Health, RFA, Scientific Discipline, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Health Risk Assessment, Risk Assessments, Chemistry, Biology, Children's Health, Toxicology, Risk Assessment, toxicity, biological markers, lead, pesticides, behavioral assessment, home test kit, community support, human exposure, hearing loss, neurotoxicity, children, human health risk, biomarkerRelevant Websites:
http://www.healthyhomestoday.com Exit
http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/research/project/enviro Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractMain Center Abstract and Reports:
R829389 CECEHDPR - University of Cincinnati Center for the Study of Prevalent Neurotoxicants in Children Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R829389C001 Neurobehavioral Effects of Prevalent Toxicants in Children
R829389C002 Validation of Meconium Markers of Fetal Neurotoxicant Exposures
R829389C003 Community-Based Research Project Identifying Residential Hazards Using Home Test Kits
R829389C004 Early Exposure to Lead and Adult Antisocial Outcome
R829389C005 Magnetic Resonance Assessment of Brain Function Altered by Lead Exposure
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.