Grantee Research Project Results
2011 Progress Report: Examining In-Vehicle Pollution and Oxidative Stress in a Cohort of Daily Commuters
EPA Grant Number: R834799C002Subproject: this is subproject number 002 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R834799
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: The Southeastern Center for Air Pollution and Epidemiology: Multiscale Measurements and Modeling of Mixtures
Center Director: Tolbert, Paige
Title: Examining In-Vehicle Pollution and Oxidative Stress in a Cohort of Daily Commuters
Investigators: Sarnat, Jeremy , Brown, Lou Ann , Fitzpatrick, Anne , Wongtrakool, Cherry , Flanders, Dana , Darrow, Lyndsey , Bergin, Michael , Guensler, Randy , Greenwald, Roby
Current Investigators: Sarnat, Jeremy , Winquist, Andrea , Flanders, Dana , Diaz-Sanchez, David , Bergin, Michael , Greenwald, Roby
Institution: Emory University , Georgia Institute of Technology
Current Institution: Emory University , Duke University , Georgia Institute of Technology , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
EPA Project Officer: Chung, Serena
Project Period: January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2016
Project Period Covered by this Report: October 1, 2011 through September 30,2011
RFA: Clean Air Research Centers (2009) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Human Health , Air
Objective:
The primary aim of Project 2 is to examine the effects of exposure to particulate mixtures occurring during automobile commuting and within indoor, non-commuting microenvironments (μE’s) and corresponding measures of oxidative stress-mediated response.
Progress Summary:
Work on Project 2 during the first reporting period has focused on: a) developing and finalizing the project QAPP, SOPs, and technician manuals; b) establishing proof-of-concept for the measurement methods to be used during field sampling; and c) conducting a targeted sub-analysis aimed at examining the potential for confounding in the commuter study.
A draft of the Project 2 QAPP has been written and reviewed by the quality assurance team. In addition, we have written and compiled all SOPs, technician guidance documents and operation manuals to be used during the field data collection and analysis phase of the project. During this reporting period, we have continued to evaluate protocol proof-of-concept based on the ongoing results from our Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-funded Atlanta Commuters Exposure (ACE) study. The ACE study concluded field sampling during June 2011. In total, there were 40 subjects (20 physician-diagnosed adult asthmatics and 20 healthy adults) who participated in ACE. Although the hypotheses and design of Project 2 differ from the ACE study in its focus on pollutant mixtures and oxidative stress-associated mechanistic pathways, the ACE study has served as a critical means of evaluating the proposed Project 2 protocol and methods. As a result of initial proof-of-concept evaluation from the ACE study, we have begun to design modifications to the in-vehicle pollutant sampler used in the ACE study, the pollutant analytical protocols, and database management systems to meet the Project 2 research aims. Specifically, the Project 2 in-vehicle sampler will use two DC-powered rocking piston pumps instead of the vacuum pumps used for ACE. These pumps will provide similar flow rates (100 LPM) while emitting less noise during the commutes. Using our initial ACE results as a guide, we also haveswitched our proposed method for characterizing particle count concentrations from a TSI P-TRAK Ultrafine Particle Counter to a TSI Condensation Particle Counter (Model 3006).
Few previous studies have quantified concurrent in-vehicle noise levels and corresponding pollutant concentrations. This is a significant omission for understanding the link between traffic exposures and human health, given results showing strong associations between traffic noise and numerous health endpoints, including cardiovascular outcomes1-3. This finding has led some to claim that health effects attributed to PM may be confounded by factors such as noise. To address this issue, we have commenced a Project 2 sub-analysis examining in-vehicle noise as a potential confounder of any observed pollutant-related health effects. During July - September 2012, we will be conducting sampling in a variety of commuter exposure settings to characterize correlation patterns between measured noise and corresponding in-vehicle concentrations of size-resolved particle mass, particle counts, black carbon, and particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Future Activities:
We expect to continue finalizing the Project 2 sampling protocol and evaluating proof-of-concept based on the ACE results throughout 2011 with a goal of beginning subject recruitment in November 2011. Project 2 staffing also will continue throughout 2011 in anticipation of commencing actual field sampling in spring 2012. We expect to hire a Project Manager (at the post-doc level) to begin working on the project in October 2011. A qualified candidate has been identified, and we expect to receive a signed offer letter soon.
References:
- Babisch W. The noise/stress concept, risk assessment and research needs. Noise Health 4:1-11, 2002.
- Babisch W. Noise and health. Environmental Health Perspectives 113(1):A14-A15, 2005.
- Klæboe R, Kolbenstvedt M, Clench-Aas J, Bartonova A. Oslo traffic study - part 1: an integrated approach to assess the combined effects of noise and air pollution on annoyance. Atmospheric Environment 34(27):4727-4736, 2000.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 32 publications for this subprojectSupplemental Keywords:
health effects, oxidative stress, inflammation, human health, susceptibility, vulnerability, PAHs, PM2.5, organics, elemental carbon, metals, ozone, oxidants, PAH, sulfates, source characterization, mobile sources, Georgia, GA, Health, Scientific Discipline, Health Risk Assessment, Risk Assessments, Biochemistry, Environmental Monitoring, children's health, particulate matter, ambient air monitoring, climate change, automobile exhaust, air pollution, traffic density, airshed modeling, ambient particle health effects, human health riskRelevant Websites:
Southeastern Center for Air Pollution & Epidemiology - Emory/Georgia Tech EPA Clean Air Research Center ExitProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractMain Center Abstract and Reports:
R834799 The Southeastern Center for Air Pollution and Epidemiology: Multiscale Measurements and Modeling of Mixtures Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R834799C001 Development and Deployment of an Instrumentation Suite for Comprehensive Air Quality Characterization Including Aerosol ROS
R834799C002 Examining In-Vehicle Pollution and Oxidative Stress in a Cohort of Daily Commuters
R834799C003 Novel Estimates of Pollutant Mixtures and Pediatric Health in Two Birth Cohorts
R834799C004 A Multi-City Time-Series Study of Pollutant Mixtures and Acute Morbidity
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.
Project Research Results
- Final Report
- 2015 Progress Report
- 2014 Progress Report
- 2013 Progress Report
- 2012 Progress Report
- Original Abstract
7 journal articles for this subproject
Main Center: R834799
338 publications for this center
135 journal articles for this center