Grantee Research Project Results
2005 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, 2004 through October 31, 2005
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. In Year 4, recruitment was expanded to include participants who attended the Children’s Hospital Lead Clinic and Pediatric Primary Care Center (PPC). Stratification will be used to enroll about 33 percent of the sample with blood lead concentrations lower than 5 µg/dL, 33 percent between 5 to 10 µg/dL, and 33 percent with 10 µg/dL or higher.
Progress Summary:
Community Activities
The Healthy Homes Resource Center, established at the Cincinnati Better Housing League (BHL), continues to be one of the first access areas into the BHL’s offices. BHL staff has begun to hold interviews and counseling sessions within the Resource Center area. A compilation of videos about environmental health issues was presented to both the Babies Milk Fund Clinic and the BHL. VCRs were purchased for the clinics, and the videos are being played during clinic hours. The BHL is showing the video during counseling sessions. One of the Lead Home Sampling Kits plus analysis was provided to the BHL as a raffle item to a new homeowner.
As originally planned, the purpose and design of the Resource Center are 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 may not have access to the Internet.
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. The BHL/Healthy Homes Web Site, http://www.healthyhomestoday.com Exit , provides information on the Resource Center, hazards in the home, and links to other sites for more information.
Environmental Health Coloring Pages
Eight children’s coloring pages were designed and provided to the Baby’s Milk Fund Clinics as packets with nontoxic crayons. The coloring pages covered issues such as lead, poisons, safety, the importance of washing hands, and healthy eating. Packets of coloring pages and crayons also were provided to the BHL and are given to clients who either bring or have children. Approximately 300 packets have been distributed at this time.
Research Activities
Over this last year, we have expanded our enrollment population to include the Lead Clinic, the PPC Clinic, and the Hopple Street Clinic at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Both clinic populations are similar in socioeconomic status to the Baby’s Milk Fund Clinic population and, thus, we thought this would not compromise the nature of the study. It will increase, however, our recruitment pool and study enrollment. The project timetable is on schedule, and recruitment, sampling, and surveys should be at or near completion by the end of Year 4 of the project.
As of June 30, 2005, we have completed 105 visits. Of the total participants screened, 136 were assigned identification numbers, 15 second visits are pending, and 19 withdrew from the study either just prior to or after the first visit. The Lead and Pesticide kit were provided to the first 100 families in the study (one-half received a video and the other half did not). The second 100 families will be provided only with the Lead Kit and, again, half will receive a video. We had anticipated recruiting a larger number of families with blood lead levels above 10 µg/dL; however, these children have been difficult to identify. The number of children who have a blood lead level above 10 µg/dL has increased since we began to recruit from the Lead Clinic.
We have begun to prepare for data analysis. The data entry file has been established, and data entry has begun. We have been analyzing wipe samples on an ongoing basis. We are starting to analyze the first few samples collected for pesticides and will evaluate the data prior to sending additional samples to the laboratory.
Future Activities:
In the final year of the study, we will complete environmental sampling and analysis of samples. Community outreach programs developed during the years of the study will continue, as well as collaboration with community groups and members. Statistical analysis will be performed and the final report submitted.
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,, RFA, Health, Scientific Discipline, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Toxicology, Health Risk Assessment, Chemistry, Risk Assessments, Children's Health, Biology, Risk Assessment, hearing loss, behavioral assessment, lead, pesticides, neurotoxicity, children, human exposure, toxicity, home test kit, biological markers, exposure assessment, community support, human health riskRelevant 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.