Grantee Research Project Results

Effect of Multi-Level Environmental Exposure on Birth Outcomes

EPA Grant Number: R834596C001
Subproject: this is subproject number 001 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R834596
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: Center for Integrative Research on Childhood Leukemia and the Environment - 2015
Center Director: Metayer, Catherine
Title: Effect of Multi-Level Environmental Exposure on Birth Outcomes
Investigators: Tager, Ira
Current Investigators: Tager, Ira , Hammond, S. Katharine , Gale, Sara L , Shaw, Gary M. , Padula, Amy
Institution: University of California - Berkeley , Stanford University
EPA Project Officer: Callan, Richard
Project Period: May 7, 2010 through May 6, 2013 (Extended to May 6, 2014)
RFA: Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Centers: Formative Centers (with NIEHS) (2009) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Children's Health , Human Health

Objective:

The primary data for Project 1 will come from an R21 funded by NIEHS (R21 ES 014891-01A1, Influences of genetics and air pollution exposures on birth outcomes.) Part A of the R21 uses refined air pollution and traffic density data to examine their influence of on adverse birth outcomes such as low birth weight and premature birth. Part B of the R21 evaluates the feasibility of assembling a birth-cohort to provide saliva samples for the analysis of genetic and epigenetic susceptibility to the effects of air pollution. During the pre- Center funding, we will obtain additional spatially-refined exposure data from the prenatal periods of over 300, 000 birth in the San Joaquin Valley of California. We will implement novel statistical methods to evaluate possible longitudinal and joint of effects of pollutant mixtures on birth outcomes. In addition to the spatially-refined air pollution data, detailed traffic counts and density data, census and neighborhood-level characteristics, and for some demographic variables, simulated individual-level data will be used to control for confounding and identification of susceptible subgroups. It will evaluate the feasibility of a similar study design to examine numerous important children's health outcomes. Examples of outcomes include asthma, autism spectrum disorders, cancer, and metabolic disorders such as obesity. Genetic samples will be obtained from mothers/children identified in Part B of the R21 and stored for analysis during a full Center grant.

Expected Results:

Extensive investigation will be done to identify the proper set of genetic polymorphisms that may influence susceptibility to the effects of air pollution and those that are associated with preterm birth. Similar investigations will be done to identify genetic polymorphism associated with the risk of the other health outcomes listed. We have chosen a cost-efficient approach by making use of an exposure dataset of unparalleled richness with respect to specific pollutants (CRPAQS) and existing birth certificates files while at the same time developing a birth cohort and specimen bank for future research. Our study will also make use of modeling strategies developed for other funded studies conducted within the same region.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this subproject: View all 14 publications for this subproject | View all 50 publications for this center

Journal Articles:

Journal Articles have been submitted on this subproject: View all 2 journal articles for this subproject | View all 15 journal articles for this center

Supplemental Keywords:

ambient air, particulates, oxidants, nitrogen oxides, epidemiology, immunology, causal statistical methods, exposure assessment, asthma, San Joaquin Valley, CA, EPA Region 9;, Health, RFA, Scientific Discipline, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, HUMAN HEALTH, Biology, Children's Health, Biochemistry, Health Effects, Risk Assessment, childhood respiratory disease, asthma, harmful environmental agents, biological response, measuring childhood exposure, prenatal exposure, children's vulnerablity, air pollution, assessment of exposure, air toxics, developmental disorders

Progress and Final Reports:

Main Center Abstract and Reports:

R834596 Center for Integrative Research on Childhood Leukemia and the Environment - 2015

Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R834596C001 Effect of Multi-Level Environmental Exposure on Birth Outcomes
R834596C002 Exposure to Air Pollutants and Risk of Birth Defects
R834596C003 Ambient Pollutant/Bioaerosol Effects on Treg Function

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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.