%0 Journal Article %J Geohealth %D 2024 %T PM Is Insufficient to Explain Personal PAH Exposure. %A Lisa M Bramer %A Holly Dixon %A Diana Rohlman %A Richard P Scott %A Miller, Rachel L %A Laurel D Kincl %A Julie Herbstman %A Katrina M Waters %A Kim A Anderson %X

To understand how chemical exposure can impact health, researchers need tools that capture the complexities of personal chemical exposure. In practice, fine particulate matter (PM) air quality index (AQI) data from outdoor stationary monitors and Hazard Mapping System (HMS) smoke density data from satellites are often used as proxies for personal chemical exposure, but do not capture total chemical exposure. Silicone wristbands can quantify more individualized exposure data than stationary air monitors or smoke satellites. However, it is not understood how these proxy measurements compare to chemical data measured from wristbands. In this study, participants wore daily wristbands, carried a phone that recorded locations, and answered daily questionnaires for a 7-day period in multiple seasons. We gathered publicly available daily PM AQI data and HMS data. We analyzed wristbands for 94 organic chemicals, including 53 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Wristband chemical detections and concentrations, behavioral variables (e.g., time spent indoors), and environmental conditions (e.g., PM AQI) significantly differed between seasons. Machine learning models were fit to predict personal chemical exposure using PM AQI only, HMS only, and a multivariate feature set including PM AQI, HMS, and other environmental and behavioral information. On average, the multivariate models increased predictive accuracy by approximately 70% compared to either the AQI model or the HMS model for all chemicals modeled. This study provides evidence that PM AQI data alone or HMS data alone is insufficient to explain personal chemical exposures. Our results identify additional key predictors of personal chemical exposure.

%B Geohealth %V 8 %P e2023GH000937 %8 2024 Feb %G eng %N 2 %R 10.1029/2023GH000937 %0 Journal Article %J J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol %D 2024 %T Predicting personal PAH exposure using high dimensional questionnaire and wristband data. %A McLarnan, Sarah M %A Lisa M Bramer %A Holly Dixon %A Richard P Scott %A Lehyla Calero %A Darrell Holmes %A Gibson, Elizabeth A %A Cavalier, Haleigh M %A Diana Rohlman %A Miller, Rachel L %A Laurel D Kincl %A Katrina M Waters %A Kim A Anderson %A Julie Herbstman %X

BACKGROUND: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of pervasive environmental pollutants with a variety of known health effects. While significant work has been completed to estimate personal exposure to PAHs, less has been done to identify sources of these exposures. Comprehensive characterization of reported sources of personal PAH exposure is a critical step to more easily identify individuals at risk of high levels of exposure and for developing targeted interventions based on source of exposure.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we leverage data from a New York (NY)-based birth cohort to identify personal characteristics or behaviors associated with personal PAH exposure and develop models for the prediction of PAH exposure.

METHODS: We quantified 61 PAHs measured using silicone wristband samplers in association with 75 questionnaire variables from 177 pregnant individuals. We evaluated univariate associations between each compound and questionnaire variable, conducted regression tree analysis for each PAH compound and completed a principal component analysis of for each participant's entire PAH exposure profile to determine the predictors of PAH levels.

RESULTS: Regression tree analyses of individual compounds and exposure mixture identified income, time spent outdoors, maternal age, country of birth, transportation type, and season as the variables most frequently predictive of exposure.

%B J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol %8 2024 Jan 05 %G eng %R 10.1038/s41370-023-00617-y %0 Journal Article %J Environ Int %D 2022 %T Evaluating predictive relationships between wristbands and urine for assessment of personal PAH exposure. %A Holly Dixon %A Lisa M Bramer %A Richard P Scott %A Lehyla Calero %A Darrell Holmes %A Gibson, Elizabeth A %A Cavalier, Haleigh M %A Diana Rohlman %A Miller, Rachel L %A Antonia M Calafat %A Laurel D Kincl %A Katrina M Waters %A Julie Herbstman %A Kim A Anderson %X

During events like the COVID-19 pandemic or a disaster, researchers may need to switch from collecting biological samples to personal exposure samplers that are easy and safe to transport and wear, such as silicone wristbands. Previous studies have demonstrated significant correlations between urine biomarker concentrations and chemical levels in wristbands. We build upon those studies and use a novel combination of descriptive statistics and supervised statistical learning to evaluate the relationship between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in silicone wristbands and hydroxy-PAH (OH-PAH) concentrations in urine. In New York City, 109 participants in a longitudinal birth cohort wore one wristband for 48 h and provided a spot urine sample at the end of the 48-hour period during their third trimester of pregnancy. We compared four PAHs with the corresponding seven OH-PAHs using descriptive statistics, a linear regression model, and a linear discriminant analysis model. Five of the seven PAH and OH-PAH pairs had significant correlations (Pearson's r = 0.35-0.64, p ≤ 0.003) and significant chi-square tests of independence for exposure categories (p ≤ 0.009). For these five comparisons, the observed PAH or OH-PAH concentration could predict the other concentration within a factor of 1.47 for 50-80% of the measurements (depending on the pair). Prediction accuracies for high exposure categories were at least 1.5 times higher compared to accuracies based on random chance. These results demonstrate that wristbands and urine provide similar PAH exposure assessment information, which is critical for environmental health researchers looking for the flexibility to switch between biological sample and wristband collection.

%B Environ Int %V 163 %P 107226 %8 2022 Apr 04 %G eng %R 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107226 %0 Journal Article %J PLoS One %D 2022 %T Impact of acute temperature and air pollution exposures on adult lung function: A panel study of asthmatics. %A Evoy, Richard %A Laurel D Kincl %A Diana Rohlman %A Lisa M Bramer %A Holly Dixon %A Hystad, Perry %A Bae, Harold %A Michael L Barton %A Phillips, Aaron %A Miller, Rachel L %A Katrina M Waters %A Julie Herbstman %A Kim A Anderson %K Adult %K Air Pollution %K Asthma %K Bronchodilator Agents %K Environmental Exposure %K Humans %K Lung %K Temperature %X

BACKGROUND: Individuals with respiratory conditions, such as asthma, are particularly susceptible to adverse health effects associated with higher levels of ambient air pollution and temperature. This study evaluates whether hourly levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and dry bulb globe temperature (DBGT) are associated with the lung function of adult participants with asthma.

METHODS AND FINDINGS: Global positioning system (GPS) location, respiratory function (measured as forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV1)), and self-reports of asthma medication usage and symptoms were collected as part of the Exposure, Location, and Lung Function (ELF) study. Hourly ambient PM2.5 and DBGT exposures were estimated by integrating air quality and temperature public records with time-activity patterns using GPS coordinates for each participant (n = 35). The relationships between acute PM2.5, DBGT, rescue bronchodilator use, and lung function collected in one week periods and over two seasons (summer/winter) were analyzed by multivariate regression, using different exposure time frames. In separate models, increasing levels in PM2.5, but not DBGT, were associated with rescue bronchodilator use. Conversely DBGT, but not PM2.5, had a significant association with FEV1. When DBGT and PM2.5 exposures were placed in the same model, the strongest association between cumulative PM2.5 exposures and the use of rescue bronchodilator was identified at the 0-24 hours (OR = 1.030; 95% CI = 1.012-1.049; p-value = 0.001) and 0-48 hours (OR = 1.030; 95% CI = 1.013-1.057; p-value = 0.001) prior to lung function measure. Conversely, DBGT exposure at 0 hours (β = 3.257; SE = 0.879; p-value>0.001) and 0-6 hours (β = 2.885; SE = 0.903; p-value = 0.001) hours before a reading were associated with FEV1. No significant interactions between DBGT and PM2.5 were observed for rescue bronchodilator use or FEV1.

CONCLUSIONS: Short-term increases in PM2.5 were associated with increased rescue bronchodilator use, while DBGT was associated with higher lung function (i.e. FEV1). Further studies are needed to continue to elucidate the mechanisms of acute exposure to PM2.5 and DBGT on lung function in asthmatics.

%B PLoS One %V 17 %P e0270412 %8 2022 %G eng %N 6 %R 10.1371/journal.pone.0270412 %0 Journal Article %J BMC Public Health %D 2019 %T Development of an environmental health tool linking chemical exposures, physical location and lung function. %A Diana Rohlman %A Holly Dixon %A Laurel D Kincl %A Larkin, Andrew %A Evoy, Richard %A Michael L Barton %A Phillips, Aaron %A Elena S Peterson %A Scaffidi, Christopher %A Julie Herbstman %A Katrina M Waters %A Kim A Anderson %X

BACKGROUND: A challenge in environmental health research is collecting robust data sets to facilitate comparisons between personal chemical exposures, the environment and health outcomes. To address this challenge, the Exposure, Location and lung Function (ELF) tool was designed in collaboration with communities that share environmental health concerns. These concerns centered on respiratory health and ambient air quality. The ELF collects exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), given their association with diminished lung function. Here, we describe the ELF as a novel environmental health assessment tool.

METHODS: The ELF tool collects chemical exposure for 62 PAHs using passive sampling silicone wristbands, geospatial location data and respiratory lung function measures using a paired hand-held spirometer. The ELF was tested by 10 individuals with mild to moderate asthma for 7 days. Participants wore a wristband each day to collect PAH exposure, carried a cell phone, and performed spirometry daily to collect respiratory health measures. Location data was gathered using the geospatial positioning system technology in an Android cell-phone.

RESULTS: We detected and quantified 31 PAHs across the study population. PAH exposure data showed spatial and temporal sensitivity within and between participants. Location data was used with existing datasets such as the Toxics Release Inventory and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hazard Mapping System. Respiratory health outcomes were validated using criteria from the American Thoracic Society with 94% of participant data meeting standards. Finally, the ELF was used with a high degree of compliance (> 90%) by community members.

CONCLUSIONS: The ELF is a novel environmental health assessment tool that allows for personal data collection spanning chemical exposures, location and lung function measures as well as self-reported information.

%B BMC Public Health %V 19 %P 854 %8 2019 Jul 01 %G eng %N 1 %R 10.1186/s12889-019-7217-z %0 Audiovisual Material %D 2019 %T Discovery of common chemical exposures across three continents using silicone wristbands %A Holly Dixon %A Armstrong, Georgina %A Michael L Barton %A Alan J Bergmann %A Melissa Bondy %A Mary L Halbleib %A Erin N Haynes %A Julie Herbstman %A Winnifred Hamilton %A Peter D Hoffman %A Paul C Jepson %A Molly Kile %A Laurel D Kincl %A Paul J Laurienti %A Paula E North %A LB Paulik %A Petrosino, Joe %A Points, Gary L %A Carolyn M Poutasse %A Diana Rohlman %A Richard P Scott %A Brian W Smith %A Lane G Tidwell %A Cheryl Walker %A Katrina M Waters %A Kim A Anderson %B EMT Research Day, Corvallis, OR %C Corvallis, OR %8 01/2019 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J R Soc Open Sci %D 2019 %T Discovery of common chemical exposures across three continents using silicone wristbands. %A Holly Dixon %A Armstrong, Georgina %A Michael L Barton %A Alan J Bergmann %A Melissa Bondy %A Mary L Halbleib %A Winnifred Hamilton %A Erin N Haynes %A Julie Herbstman %A Peter D Hoffman %A Paul C Jepson %A Molly Kile %A Laurel D Kincl %A Paul J Laurienti %A Paula E North %A Paulik, L Blair %A Petrosino, Joe %A Points, Gary L %A Carolyn M Poutasse %A Diana Rohlman %A Richard P Scott %A Brian W Smith %A Lane G Tidwell %A Cheryl Walker %A Katrina M Waters %A Kim A Anderson %X

To assess differences and trends in personal chemical exposure, volunteers from 14 communities in Africa (Senegal, South Africa), North America (United States (U.S.)) and South America (Peru) wore 262 silicone wristbands. We analysed wristband extracts for 1530 unique chemicals, resulting in 400 860 chemical data points. The number of chemical detections ranged from 4 to 43 per wristband, with 191 different chemicals detected, and 1339 chemicals were not detected in any wristband. No two wristbands had identical chemical detections. We detected 13 potential endocrine disrupting chemicals in over 50% of all wristbands and found 36 chemicals in common between chemicals detected in three geographical wristband groups (Africa, North America and South America). U.S. children (less than or equal to 11 years) had the highest percentage of flame retardant detections compared with all other participants. Wristbands worn in Texas post-Hurricane Harvey had the highest mean number of chemical detections (28) compared with other study locations (10-25). Consumer product-related chemicals and phthalates were a high percentage of chemical detections across all study locations (36-53% and 18-42%, respectively). Chemical exposures varied among individuals; however, many individuals were exposed to similar chemical mixtures. Our exploratory investigation uncovered personal chemical exposure trends that can help prioritize certain mixtures and chemical classes for future studies.

%B R Soc Open Sci %V 6 %P 181836 %8 02/2019 %G eng %N 2 %R 10.1098/rsos.181836 %0 Audiovisual Material %D 2018 %T Comparing Chemical Exposures Across Diverse Communities Using Silicone Wristbands %A Holly Dixon %A Bergmann AJ %A Mary L Halbleib %A Erin N Haynes %A Julie Herbstman %A Peter D Hoffman %A Paul C Jepson %A Molly Kile %A Laurel D Kincl %A Paul J Laurienti %A Paula E North %A LB Paulik %A Points, Gary L %A Carolyn M Poutasse %A Diana Rohlman %A Richard P Scott %A Brian W Smith %A Lane G Tidwell %A Katrina M Waters %A Kim A Anderson %B Total Exposure Health Conference, Bethesda, MD %8 09/2018 %G eng %0 Audiovisual Material %D 2018 %T Comparing chemical exposures across diverse communities using silicone wristbands %A Holly Dixon %A Alan J Bergmann %A Mary L Halbleib %A Erin N Haynes %A Julie Herbstman %A Peter D Hoffman %A Paul C Jepson %A Molly Kile %A Laurel D Kincl %A Paul J Laurienti %A Paula E North %A LB Paulik %A Points, Gary L %A Carolyn M Poutasse %A Diana Rohlman %A Richard P Scott %A Smith BW %A Lane G Tidwell %A Katrina M Waters %A Kim A Anderson %B 3rd Tribal Environmental Health Summit, Corvallis, OR %C Corvallis, Oregon %8 06/2018 %G eng %0 Generic %D 2018 %T Discovery of common chemical exposures across three continents using silicone wristbands %A Holly Dixon %A Armstrong, Georgina %A Michael L Barton %A Bergmann AJ %A Melissa Bondy %A Mary L Halbleib %A Erin N Haynes %A Julie Herbstman %A Winnifred Hamilton %A Peter D Hoffman %A Paul C Jepson %A Molly Kile %A Laurel D Kincl %A Paul J Laurienti %A Paula E North %A LB Paulik %A Petrosino, Joe %A Points, Gary L %A Carolyn M Poutasse %A Diana Rohlman %A Richard P Scott %A Brian W Smith %A Lane G Tidwell %A Cheryl Walker %A Katrina M Waters %A Kim A Anderson %B FSES External Advisory Committee Meeting, Yachats, OR %8 10/2018 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J Environ Pollut %D 2018 %T Environmental and individual PAH exposures near rural natural gas extraction. %A Paulik, L Blair %A Kevin A Hobbie %A Diana Rohlman %A Brian W Smith %A Richard P Scott %A Laurel D Kincl %A Erin N Haynes %A Kim A Anderson %K Air Pollutants %K Air Pollution %K Environmental Exposure %K Environmental Monitoring %K Humans %K Linear Models %K Natural Gas %K Oil and Gas Fields %K Petroleum %K Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons %K Pyrenes %K Silicones %K Tandem Mass Spectrometry %X

Natural gas extraction (NGE) has expanded rapidly in the United States in recent years. Despite concerns, there is little information about the effects of NGE on air quality or personal exposures of people living or working nearby. Recent research suggests NGE emits polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) into air. This study used low-density polyethylene passive samplers to measure concentrations of PAHs in air near active (n = 3) and proposed (n = 2) NGE sites. At each site, two concentric rings of air samplers were placed around the active or proposed well pad location. Silicone wristbands were used to assess personal PAH exposures of participants (n = 19) living or working near the sampling sites. All samples were analyzed for 62 PAHs using GC-MS/MS, and point sources were estimated using the fluoranthene/pyrene isomer ratio. ∑PAH was significantly higher in air at active NGE sites (Wilcoxon rank sum test, p < 0.01). PAHs in air were also more petrogenic (petroleum-derived) at active NGE sites. This suggests that PAH mixtures at active NGE sites may have been affected by direct emissions from petroleum sources at these sites. ∑PAH was also significantly higher in wristbands from participants who had active NGE wells on their properties than from participants who did not (Wilcoxon rank sum test, p < 0.005). There was a significant positive correlation between ∑PAH in participants' wristbands and ∑PAH in air measured closest to participants' homes or workplaces (simple linear regression, p < 0.0001). These findings suggest that living or working near an active NGE well may increase personal PAH exposure. This work also supports the utility of the silicone wristband to assess personal PAH exposure.

%B Environ Pollut %V 241 %P 397-405 %8 2018 Oct %G eng %R 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.05.010 %0 Generic %D 2018 %T Research and reporting back: Community-engaged investigation around asthma and air pollution %A Diana Rohlman %A Laurel D Kincl %A Holly Dixon %A Evoy, Richie %A Michael L Barton %A Kim A Anderson %B Seminar at the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health and NIEHS Center, New York City, NY %8 10/2018 %G eng %0 Audiovisual Material %D 2018 %T Silicone wristbands compared with traditional polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure assessment methods %A Holly Dixon %A Richard P Scott %A Darrell Holmes %A Lehyla Calero %A Laurel D Kincl %A Katrina M Waters %A David Camann %A Antonia M Calafat %A Julie Herbstman %A Kim A Anderson %B 3rd Tribal Environmental Health Summit, Corvallis, OR %C Corvallis, Oregon %8 06/2018 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J Anal Bioanal Chem %D 2018 %T Silicone wristbands compared with traditional polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure assessment methods %A Holly Dixon %A Richard P Scott %A Darrell Holmes %A Lehyla Calero %A Laurel D Kincl %A Katrina M Waters %A David Camann %A Antonia M Calafat %A Julie Herbstman %A Kim A Anderson %X

Currently there is a lack of inexpensive, easy-to-use technology to evaluate human exposure to environmental chemicals, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This is the first study in which silicone wristbands were deployed alongside two traditional personal PAH exposure assessment methods: active air monitoring with samplers (i.e., polyurethane foam (PUF) and filter) housed in backpacks, and biological sampling with urine. We demonstrate that wristbands worn for 48 h in a non-occupational setting recover semivolatile PAHs, and we compare levels of PAHs in wristbands to PAHs in PUFs-filters and to hydroxy-PAH (OH-PAH) biomarkers in urine. We deployed all samplers simultaneously for 48 h on 22 pregnant women in an established urban birth cohort. Each woman provided one spot urine sample at the end of the 48-h period. Wristbands recovered PAHs with similar detection frequencies to PUFs-filters. Of the 62 PAHs tested for in the 22 wristbands, 51 PAHs were detected in at least one wristband. In this cohort of pregnant women, we found more significant correlations between OH-PAHs and PAHs in wristbands than between OH-PAHs and PAHs in PUFs-filters. Only two comparisons between PAHs in PUFs-filters and OH-PAHs correlated significantly (r = 0.53 and p = 0.01; r = 0.44 and p = 0.04), whereas six comparisons between PAHs in wristbands and OH-PAHs correlated significantly (r = 0.44 to 0.76 and p = 0.04 to <0.0001). These results support the utility of wristbands as a biologically relevant exposure assessment tool which can be easily integrated into environmental health studies. Graphical abstract PAHs detected in samples collected from urban pregnant women.

%B Anal Bioanal Chem %8 04/2018 %G eng %R 10.1007/s00216-018-0992-z %0 Audiovisual Material %D 2017 %T Assessing PAH exposures with multiple approaches including silicone wristbands %A Holly Dixon %A Richard P Scott %A Darrell Holmes %A Lehyla Calero %A Laurel D Kincl %A Katrina M Waters %A David Camann %A Julie Herbstman %A Kim A Anderson %B EMT Research Day %C Corvallis, OR %8 01/2017 %G eng %0 Audiovisual Material %D 2016 %T Assessing PAH exposures with multiple approaches including silicone wristbands %A Holly Dixon %A Richard P Scott %A Darrell Holmes %A Lehyla Calero %A Laurel D Kincl %A Katrina M Waters %A David Camann %A Julie Herbstman %A Kim A Anderson %B NIEHS 50th Anniversary FEST, Durham, North Carolina %8 2016 %G eng %0 Generic %D 2016 %T Assessing PAH exposures with multiple approaches including silicone wristbands %A Holly Dixon %A Richard P Scott %A Darrell Holmes %A Lehyla Calero %A Laurel D Kincl %A Katrina M Waters %A David Camann %A Antonia M Calafat %A Julie Herbstman %A Kim A Anderson %B International Society of Exposure Science 26th Annual Meeting, Utrecht, Netherlands %8 10/2016 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J Environ Sci Technol %D 2016 %T Emissions of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Natural Gas Extraction into Air. %A LB Paulik %A Carey E Donald %A Brian W Smith %A Lane G Tidwell %A Kevin A Hobbie %A Laurel D Kincl %A Erin N Haynes %A Kim A Anderson %X

Natural gas extraction, often referred to as "fracking", has increased rapidly in the United States in recent years. To address potential health impacts, passive air samplers were deployed in a rural community heavily affected by the natural gas boom. Samplers were analyzed for 62 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Results were grouped based on distance from each sampler to the nearest active well. Levels of benzo[a]pyrene, phenanthrene, and carcinogenic potency of PAH mixtures were highest when samplers were closest to active wells. PAH levels closest to natural gas activity were comparable to levels previously reported in rural areas in winter. Sourcing ratios indicated that PAHs were predominantly petrogenic, suggesting that PAH levels were influenced by direct releases from the earth. Quantitative human health risk assessment estimated the excess lifetime cancer risks associated with exposure to the measured PAHs. At sites closest to active wells, the risk estimated for maximum residential exposure was 0.04 in a million, which is below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's acceptable risk level. Overall, risk estimates decreased 30% when comparing results from samplers closest to active wells to those farthest from them. This work suggests that natural gas extraction is contributing PAHs to the air, at levels that would not be expected to increase cancer risk.

%B Environ Sci Technol %V 50 %P 7921-9 %8 07/2016 %G eng %N 14 %R 10.1021/acs.est.6b02762 %0 Generic %D 2016 %T Movement of PAHs emitted from natural gas extraction wells %A LB Paulik %A Kevin A Hobbie %A Diana Rohlman %A Smith BW %A Richard P Scott %A Laurel D Kincl %A Haynes EN %A Kim A Anderson %B International Society of Exposure Science 26th Annual Meeting, Utrecht, The Netherlands %8 10/2016 %G eng %0 Generic %D 2016 %T Passive wristband samplers assess individual PAH exposure near natural gas extraction %A LB Paulik %A Kevin A Hobbie %A Diana Rohlman %A Smith BW %A Laurel D Kincl %A Haynes EN %A Kim A Anderson %B International Society of Exposure Science 26th Annual Meeting, Utrecht, The Netherlands %8 10/2016 %G eng %0 Generic %D 2016 %T Personal exposure to PAHs near natural gas extraction %A LB Paulik %A Kevin A Hobbie %A Diana Rohlman %A Smith BW %A Richard P Scott %A Laurel D Kincl %A Haynes EN %A Kim A Anderson %B Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry North America 37th Annual Meeting, Orlando, Florida, United States %8 10/2016 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J Environ Justice %D 2015 %T A Community-Based Approach to Developing a Mobile Device for Measuring Ambient Air Exposure, Location, and Respiratory Health. %A Diana Rohlman %A Syron, Laura %A Kevin A Hobbie %A Kim A Anderson %A Scaffidi, Christopher %A Sudakin, Daniel %A Katrina M Waters %A Erin N Haynes %A Arkin, Lisa %A Feezel, Paul %A Laurel D Kincl %X

In west Eugene (Oregon), community research indicates residents are disproportionately exposed to industrial air pollution and exhibit increased asthma incidence. In Carroll County (Ohio), recent increases in unconventional natural gas drilling sparked air quality concerns. These community concerns led to the development of a prototype mobile device to measure personal chemical exposure, location, and respiratory function. Working directly with the environmental justice (EJ) communities, the prototype was developed to 1) meet the needs of the community and 2) evaluate the use in EJ communities. The prototype was evaluated in three community focus groups (n = 25) to obtain feedback on the prototype and feasibility study design to evaluate the efficacy of the device to address community concerns. Focus groups were recorded and qualitatively analyzed with discrete feedback tabulated for further refinement. The prototype was improved by community feedback resulting in eight alterations/additions to software and instructional materials. Overall, focus group participants were supportive of the device and believed it would be a useful environmental health tool. The use of focus groups ensured that community members were engaged in the research design and development of a novel environmental health tool. We found that community-based research strategies resulted in a refined device as well as relevant research questions, specific to the EJ community needs and concerns.

%B Environ Justice %V 8 %P 126-134 %8 2015 Aug 01 %G eng %N 4 %R 10.1089/env.2015.0001 %0 Audiovisual Material %D 2015 %T Development of an online platform to promote environmental public health within citizen scientists %A Diana Rohlman %A Kevin A Hobbie %A Michael L Barton %A Josh A Willmarth %A Laurel D Kincl %A Kim A Anderson %B SETAC North America 36th Annual Meeting. Salt Lake City, Utah %8 11/2015 %G eng %0 Audiovisual Material %D 2015 %T Engaging rural citizen scientists to explore impacts of fracking on ambient air %A Diana Rohlman %A Erin N Haynes %A Kim A Anderson %A LB Paulik %A Feezel, P. %A Laurel D Kincl %B SETAC North America 36th Annual Meeting. Salt Lake City, Utah %8 11/2015 %G eng %0 Generic %D 2015 %T Engaging Rural Citizens to Answer Questions about Air Quality %A Diana Rohlman %A Erin N Haynes %A Kim A Anderson %A Laurel D Kincl %A Elam, S. %A LB Paulik %B Society for Applied Anthropology Annual Meeting. Pittsburgh, PA %8 03/2015 %G eng %0 Generic %D 2015 %T Environmental Preparedness and Resilience Empowering People: Personal Wristband Sampling Nexus %A Kim A Anderson %A Laurel D Kincl %A Diana Rohlman %A Kevin A Hobbie %A Josh A Willmarth %A Michael L Barton %B 25th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Exposure Science. Henderson, Nevada %8 10/2015 %G eng %0 Audiovisual Material %D 2015 %T EPREP: Environmental Preparedness and Resilience Empowering People %A Diana Rohlman %A Kevin A Hobbie %A Michael L Barton %A Josh A Willmarth %A Laurel D Kincl %A Kim A Anderson %B 2015 Citizen Science Meeting. San Jose, CA %8 02/2015 %G eng %0 Audiovisual Material %D 2015 %T Impact of natural gas extraction on PAH levels in ambient air %A LB Paulik %A Carey E Donald %A Brian W Smith %A Lane G Tidwell %A Kevin A Hobbie %A Laurel D Kincl %A Erin N Haynes %A Kim A Anderson %B SETAC Europe 25th Annual Meeting, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain %8 05/2015 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J Environ Sci Technol %D 2015 %T Impact of natural gas extraction on PAH levels in ambient air. %A LB Paulik %A Carey E Donald %A Brian W Smith %A Lane G Tidwell %A Kevin A Hobbie %A Laurel D Kincl %A Erin N Haynes %A Kim A Anderson %X

Natural gas extraction, often referred to as "fracking," has increased rapidly in the U.S. in recent years. To address potential health impacts, passive air samplers were deployed in a rural community heavily affected by the natural gas boom. Samplers were analyzed for 62 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Results were grouped based on distance from each sampler to the nearest active well. PAH levels were highest when samplers were closest to active wells. Additionally, PAH levels closest to natural gas activity were an order of magnitude higher than levels previously reported in rural areas. Sourcing ratios indicate that PAHs were predominantly petrogenic, suggesting that elevated PAH levels were influenced by direct releases from the earth. Quantitative human health risk assessment estimated the excess lifetime cancer risks associated with exposure to the measured PAHs. Closest to active wells, the risk estimated for maximum residential exposure was 2.9 in 10,000, which is above the U.S. EPA's acceptable risk level. Overall, risk estimates decreased 30% when comparing results from samplers closest to active wells to those farthest. This work suggests that natural gas extraction may be contributing significantly to PAHs in air, at levels that are relevant to human health.

%B Environ Sci Technol %V 49 %P 5203-5210 %8 03/2015 %G eng %N 8 %R 10.1021/es506095e %0 Journal Article %J Digital System Design (DSD), 2015 Euromicro Conference on %D 2015 %T Linking the Physical with the Perceptual: Health and Exposure Monitoring with Cyber-physical Questionnaires %A Scaffidi, Chris %A Laurel D Kincl %A Diana Rohlman %A Kim A Anderson %B Digital System Design (DSD), 2015 Euromicro Conference on %P 563-566 %8 08/2015 %G eng %R 10.1109 %0 Generic %D 2015 %T Mobile Device for Measuring Ambient Chemical Exposure, Location and Respiratory Health Robustness and Comparisons with Conventional Technologies %A Kim A Anderson %A Holly Dixon %A Diana Rohlman %A Kevin A Hobbie %A Scaffidi, Chris %A Katrina M Waters %A Julie Herbstman %A Laurel D Kincl %B 25th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Exposure Science. Henderson, Nevada %8 10/2015 %G eng %0 Audiovisual Material %D 2015 %T The nexus of citizen science: Integrating community needs and interests %A Diana Rohlman %A Kim A Anderson %A Kevin A Hobbie %A Josh A Willmarth %A Michael L Barton %A Laurel D Kincl %B EHS Center Meeting. Tucson, AZ %8 04/2015 %G eng %0 Audiovisual Material %D 2015 %T Passive wristband sampler technology used to build bridges: Three Pilot Studies %A Kim A Anderson %A Laurel D Kincl %A Richard P Scott %A Steven G O'Connell %A Carey E Donald %A Molly Kile %A Shannon T Lipscomb %A MacDonald, Megan %A Megan McClelland %B EHSC National Mtg. Tucson, AZ %8 04/2015 %G eng %0 Generic %D 2015 %T Transforming Epidemiological Studies: Using Passive Wristband Samplers to Measure Environmental Contaminant Exposure %A Holly Dixon %A Laurel D Kincl %A David Camann %A Julie Herbstman %A Kim A Anderson %B SETAC North America 36th Annual Meeting. Salt Lake City, Utah %8 11/2015 %G eng %0 Audiovisual Material %D 2015 %T What’s in the air? Using passive sampling to study fracking %A LB Paulik %A Carey E Donald %A Brian W Smith %A Lane G Tidwell %A Kevin A Hobbie %A Laurel D Kincl %A Erin N Haynes %A Kim A Anderson %B EMT Research Day 2015 %8 01/2015 %G eng %0 Generic %D 2014 %T A Community-Based Approach to Environmental Health: Developing Novel Technologies to Evaluate Air Quality and Respiratory Health %A Diana Rohlman %A Kim A Anderson %A Arkin, L %A Laurel D Kincl %B Oregon Public Health Association Conference. Corvallis, OR %8 10/2014 %G eng %0 Audiovisual Material %D 2014 %T A Community-based EHSC Pilot Project: Using focus group methodology to improve the mobile exposure device %A Diana Rohlman %A Arkin, L %A Kim A Anderson %A Laurel D Kincl %B Environmental Health Sciences Center Poster Session. Corvallis, OR %8 01/2014 %G eng %0 Generic %D 2014 %T Community-based EHSC Pilot Projects: Utilizing interdisciplinary approaches and community involvement to address environmental health concerns %A Diana Rohlman %A Laurel D Kincl %A Molly Kile %A Kim A Anderson %B Environmental and Molecular Toxicology Research Day. Corvallis, OR %8 01/2014 %G eng %0 Audiovisual Material %D 2014 %T A Community-Based, Inter-University Collaboration: Using Focus Group Methodology within Environmental Justice Communities to Design and Test a Mobile Exposure Device %A Diana Rohlman %A Laurel D Kincl %A Kim A Anderson %A Erin N Haynes %A Elam, S. %B EHS Center Meeting. Los Angeles, CA %8 04/2014 %G eng %0 Generic %D 2014 %T Exposure Assessment Monitoring Tools Panel: Passive Wristband Samplers %A Diana Rohlman %A Laurel D Kincl %A Kim A Anderson %B EHS Center Meeting. Los Angeles, CA %8 04/2014 %G eng %0 Audiovisual Material %D 2014 %T Impact of Unconventional Natural Gas Drilling on Air Quality in Easter Ohio: A Collaborative Supplement between the University of Cincinnati and Oregon State University %A Erin N Haynes %A Laurel D Kincl %A Kim A Anderson %A Diana Rohlman %A Elam, S. %A Feezel, P. %A Kuhnell, P. %A Kevin A Hobbie %A Lane G Tidwell %A LB Paulik %A Carey E Donald %A Alden, J. %A Brown, D. %B EHS Center Meeting. Los Angeles, CA. %8 04/2014 %G eng %0 Audiovisual Material %D 2014 %T The Mobile Exposure Device: a Personal Sampling Nexus for Exposure Monitoring %A Kevin A Hobbie %A Richard P Scott %A Diana Rohlman %A Laurel D Kincl %A Scaffidi, Chris %A Elena S Peterson %A Katrina M Waters %A Kim A Anderson %X

Epidemiological studies linking environmental exposures to health outcomes have been criticized for the lack of personal exposure data. The mobile exposure device (MED) is integrated personal environmental exposure tools coupled with software which links health data to location and chemical exposure. The MED combines a wristband passive sampling device with a smart phone application and biometric equipment providing a holistic tool to capture uniquely linked environmental-health information.  Silicone passive sampling wristbands sequester organic compounds while a cell phone application captures geographic location of study participants. Users were prompted to test lung function with a spirometer three times daily to identify variation in lung function throughout a typical daily routine.  Wristbands were worn daily then mailed to the laboratory, extracted, and analyzed for over 1,200 organic compounds including PAHs, OPAHs, PCBs, pesticides, flame retardants and industrial chemicals. Data is transmitted securely from a laboratory information management system and the smart phone app to a secure server through web services and integrated in order to discover statistical relationships among air pollutants, locations, and lung function. The MED was developed and tested in two different exposure scenarios, one community in Oregon with proximity to intense industrial activity, and another community in Ohio near unconventional natural gas drilling operations. Focus group meetings were employed in both communities to further enhance and optimize the MED. Early beta testing resulted in a daily accumulation of over 600,000 data points including geographic location, lung function, and chemical observations for each participant. The MED coupled with data integration and visualization techniques will enable researchers  to gain new insights and investigate new connections, while allowing communities to see their data in more intuitive ways.

%B Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry North America 34th Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC, Canada %8 11/2014 %G eng %0 Audiovisual Material %D 2014 %T Reporting air quality data to a rural Appalachian community concerned about unconventional natural gas drilling %A Diana Rohlman %A Elam, S. %A LB Paulik %A Kim A Anderson %A Erin N Haynes %A Laurel D Kincl %B Partnerships for Environmental Public Health Meeting. Research Triangle Park, NC %8 09/2014 %G eng %0 Audiovisual Material %D 2014 %T Silicone Wristbands as Personal Passive Samplers %A Kim A Anderson %A Steven G O'Connell %A Laurel D Kincl %B Society of Toxicology 53rd Annual Meeting, Phoenix, AZ %8 03/2014 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J Environ Sci Technol %D 2014 %T Silicone Wristbands as Personal Passive Samplers. %A Steven G O'Connell %A Laurel D Kincl %A Kim A Anderson %X

Active-sampling approaches are commonly used for personal monitoring, but are limited by energy usage and data that may not represent an individual's exposure or bioavailable concentrations. Current passive techniques often involve extensive preparation, or are developed for only a small number of targeted compounds. In this work, we present a novel application for measuring bioavailable exposure with silicone wristbands as personal passive samplers. Laboratory methodology affecting pre-cleaning, infusion, and extraction were developed from commercially available silicone, and chromatographic background interference was reduced after solvent cleanup with good extraction efficiency (>96%). After finalizing laboratory methods, 49 compounds were sequestered during an ambient deployment which encompassed a diverse set of compounds including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), consumer products, personal care products, pesticides, phthalates, and other industrial compounds ranging in log Kow from -0.07 (caffeine) to 9.49 (tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate). In two hot asphalt occupational settings, silicone personal samplers sequestered 25 PAHs during 8- and 40-hour exposures, as well as 2 oxygenated-PAHs (benzofluorenone and fluorenone) suggesting temporal sensitivity over a single work day or week (p<0.05, power = 0.85). Additionally, the amount of PAH sequestered differed between worksites (p<0.05, power = 0.99), suggesting spatial sensitivity using this novel application.

%B Environ Sci Technol %8 02/2014 %G eng %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24548134?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1021/es405022f %0 Audiovisual Material %D 2014 %T What's in the air? Using passive sampling to study fracking %A LB Paulik %A Carey E Donald %A Brian W Smith %A Lane G Tidwell %A Kevin A Hobbie %A Laurel D Kincl %A Erin N Haynes %A Kim A Anderson %B Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry North America 34th Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC, Canada %C Vancouver, BC, Canada %8 11/2014 %G eng