Grantee Research Project Results

Identifying the Cognitive and Vascular Effects of Air Pollution Sources and Mixtures in the Framingham Offspring and Third Generation Cohorts

EPA Grant Number: R834798C003
Subproject: this is subproject number 003 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R834798
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: Health Effects Institute (2015 - 2020)
Center Director: Greenbaum, Daniel S.
Title: Identifying the Cognitive and Vascular Effects of Air Pollution Sources and Mixtures in the Framingham Offspring and Third Generation Cohorts
Investigators: Mittleman, Murray , Schwartz, Joel
Current Investigators: Mittleman, Murray , Gold, Diane R. , Schwartz, Joel
Institution: Harvard University
EPA Project Officer: Chung, Serena
Project Period: January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2015 (Extended to December 31, 2016)
RFA: Clean Air Research Centers (2009) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Human Health , Air

Objective:

Long- and short-term exposures to ambient air pollution are associated with adverse acute and chronic cardiovascular and perhaps cognitive function, but these effects are poorly understood. Using data from the Framingham Offspring and Third Generation Cohorts, well-characterized populations that have not been previously investigated in association with ambient environmental exposures, we will: (I) determine whether long-term exposures to ambient pollutants and mixtures are associated with cognitive impairment and cognitive interference; (2) test whether short-term and long-term exposures to pollutants, mixtures and sources are associated with acute and chronic vascular and endothelial function; and (3) consider whether markers of biological susceptibility and vulnerability differentially influence these associations, allowing us to identify subpopulations at increased risk for harmful effects of air pollution.

Approach:

Exposures will be assigned using data from the Harvard School of Public Health Boston Supersite, a network of New England regional sites, rotating monitors, and satellite aerosol optical depth data. This information will be used to obtain predictors for linear regressions with covariate-adjusted models for cognitive outcomes (MMSE, CERAD Word List Memory and Victoria Stroop test) as well as vascular measures (blood pressure, brachial artery diameter, flow mediated dilation, digital pulse amplitude). Cross-product terms will be used to test susceptibilities and vulnerabilities.

Expected Results:

We will estimate health risks associated with short- and long-term exposure to individual air pollutants, sources and air pollution mixtures within the Framingham Offspring and Third Generation populations. We will address which individual and area-level factors, measuring vulnerability, susceptibility, and individual air pollutants, sources and mixtures, are the major determinants in explaining spatial and temporal variability of the health risks. Also, we will be able to add to data addressing the effects of pollutants on the life course examined in Project 2: the Normative Aging Study by investigating cognitive performance and vascular function in populations of middle- and older-aged men and women.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this subproject: View all 53 publications for this subproject | View all 476 publications for this center

Journal Articles:

Journal Articles have been submitted on this subproject: View all 36 journal articles for this subproject | View all 411 journal articles for this center

Supplemental Keywords:

Air pollution, ambient particles, multi-pollutant mixtures, cognitive function, vascular function, inflammation, susceptibility, vulnerability,, Scientific Discipline, Air, air toxics, Health Risk Assessment, Air Pollution Effects, Biochemistry, Environmental Monitoring, Biology, ambient air quality, children's health, complex mixtures, health effects, particulates, sensitive populations, air pollutants, biological sensitivities, exposure and effects, lung epithelial cells, susceptible populations, chemical composition, neurotoxicity, human exposure, toxicity, coronary artery disease, cardiopulmonary, cardiotoxicity, environmental effects, human health, mortality

Progress and Final Reports:

Main Center Abstract and Reports:

R834798 Health Effects Institute (2015 - 2020)

Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R834798C001 Relative Toxicity of Air Pollution Mixtures
R834798C002 Cognitive Decline, Cardiovascular Changes, and Biological Aging in Response to Air Pollution
R834798C003 Identifying the Cognitive and Vascular Effects of Air Pollution Sources and Mixtures in the Framingham Offspring and Third Generation Cohorts
R834798C004 Longitudinal Effects of Multiple Pollutants on Child Growth, Blood Pressure and Cognition
R834798C005 A National Study to Assess Susceptibility, Vulnerability, and Effect Modification of Air Pollution Health Risks

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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.