Grantee Research Project Results

2011 Progress Report: Associations of Short-Term Pollution Exposures with Childhood Autoimmune Disease

EPA Grant Number: R834992
Title: Associations of Short-Term Pollution Exposures with Childhood Autoimmune Disease
Investigators: Zeft, Andrew S. , Pope, Clive Arden
Institution: Brigham Young University
Current Institution: Cleveland Clinic Foundation , Brigham Young University
EPA Project Officer: Chung, Serena
Project Period: June 1, 2011 through May 31, 2014 (Extended to May 31, 2015)
Project Period Covered by this Report: June 1, 2011 through May 31,2012
Project Amount: $298,857
RFA: Exploring New Air Pollution Health Effects Links in Existing Datasets (2010) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Air Quality and Air Toxics , Air

Objective:

We are further testing the hypothesis that clinical autoimmune disease presentation and exacerbation are associated with exposures to short-term pollution, including PM_2.5, constituents of PM_2.5, and O₃. In Objective 1, we will further establish associations between short-term PM_2.5 exposure and the clinical onset of Systemic Onset Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritics, a subtype of JIA. In Objective 2, we will establish associations between short-term ambient PM_2.5 and O₃ and the clinical onset of Kawasaki Disease. In Objective 3, we will establish associations between short-term PM_2.5 and O₃ exposures and clinical disease activity of Henoch Schonlein Purpura. Cases come from various geographic metropolitan regions of the US and Canada (Toronto).

Progress Summary:

We have assembled PM2.5 exposure measurements from monitors and have carefully imputed PM2.5 to provide day-to-day temporal variability and resolution for reliable time series indexes of pollution exposures for each metropolitan area (Philadelphia, Boston, Toronto, Chicago, Atlanta, Cincinnati, San Diego, Salt Lake City).

We continue the process of collecting case datasets from collaborating institutions involving the necessary university and hospital institutional review board processes and the generation of data transfer agreements between institutions.

Future Activities:

In the coming year, we will perform the following:

Complete the process of subject data transfer from all collaborating centers
Finish assembling measured and imputed exposure data from Denver and Cleveland, metropolitan centers added to the study
Perform the case-crossover analysis and interpretation of results
Submit initial results in form of scientific abstracts to national meetings
Begin manuscript preparation for future submission for peer reviewed publication

Journal Articles:

No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 10 publications for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

Urban Air Quality; Climate; Personal Exposure; Health Risks; Air Toxics; Air Quality; Ambient Particle Properties; Atmospheric Monitoring; Cumulative Exposure; Children’s Health

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

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.