%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 Int J Environ Res Public Health %D 2019 %T A Case Study Describing a Community-Engaged Approach for Evaluating Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Exposure in a Native American Community. %A Diana Rohlman %A Jamie Donatuto %A Heidt, Myk %A Michael L Barton %A Campbell, Larry %A Kim A Anderson %A Molly Kile %K Air Pollutants %K Air Pollution, Indoor %K Community Participation %K Community-Based Participatory Research %K Environmental Monitoring %K Female %K Humans %K Indians, North American %K Male %K Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons %K Seasons %X

In 2015, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community (SITC) was impacted by an air toxic release from one of two nearby oil refineries. This experience motivated SITC members to learn more about their exposure to air toxics. On the invitation of SITC, this community-based study measured personal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and conducted interviews with the volunteers to evaluate perceptions of the data and experience of participating. Non-smoking SITC members were recruited in March 2016 ( = 10) and January 2017 ( = 22) with seven volunteers participating both times. Volunteers wore a wristband passive sampler for 7 days and completed daily activity diaries. Wristbands were analyzed for 62 PAHs using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Wilcoxon exact tests determined if the sum total PAHs (ΣPAH) differed by activity, proximity to the refineries, and time. Aggregated results were shared during community meetings, and volunteers received individual reports. Volunteers ( = 9) participated in individual interviews. All volunteers were exposed to different amounts and types of PAHs. Burning candles or using a wood stove and/or propane heating were associated with higher ΣPAH exposures. While ΣPAH was similar in both sampling periods, the composition of PAHs differed. More priority listed PAHs were detected in January ( = 17) versus March ( = 10). Among volunteers who participated in both sampling events, exposure to four PAHs significantly differed between seasons. Overall, volunteers reported that the study made them more aware of air pollution sources in their community. They also commented that the chemical nomenclature was difficult to understand, but appreciated the individual reports that allowed them to visually compare their data to the distribution of data collected in their community. For volunteers with lower exposures, these comparisons gave them relief. However, volunteers with higher exposures reported concern and several changed their behaviors to reduce their exposure to known PAH sources. This study provided an opportunity for SITC members to learn about their personal exposure to a class of air toxics within the context of their community. While the limitations of the study hindered the ability to identify sources of air toxics in the community, this activity appeared to raise awareness about ambient and indoor air pollution among the volunteers.

%B Int J Environ Res Public Health %V 16 %8 2019 01 24 %G eng %N 3 %R 10.3390/ijerph16030327 %0 Journal Article %J J Lab Autom %D 2012 %T Integration of data systems and technology improves research and collaboration for a superfund research center. %A Kevin A Hobbie %A Elena S Peterson %A Michael L Barton %A Katrina M Waters %A Kim A Anderson %K Biostatistics %K Chemistry Techniques, Analytical %K Computational Biology %K Cooperative Behavior %K Environmental Health %K Environmental Monitoring %K Humans %K Integrated Advanced Information Management Systems %K Oregon %K Polycyclic Hydrocarbons, Aromatic %K Universities %X

Large collaborative centers are a common model for accomplishing integrated environmental health research. These centers often include various types of scientific domains (e.g., chemistry, biology, bioinformatics) that are integrated to solve some of the nation's key economic or public health concerns. The Superfund Research Center (SRP) at Oregon State University (OSU) is one such center established in 2008 to study the emerging health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons while using new technologies both in the field and laboratory. With outside collaboration at remote institutions, success for the center as a whole depends on the ability to effectively integrate data across all research projects and support cores. Therefore, the OSU SRP center developed a system that integrates environmental monitoring data with analytical chemistry data and downstream bioinformatics and statistics to enable complete "source-to-outcome" data modeling and information management. This article describes the development of this integrated information management system that includes commercial software for operational laboratory management and sample management in addition to open-source custom-built software for bioinformatics and experimental data management.

%B J Lab Autom %V 17 %P 275-83 %8 08/2012 %G eng %N 4 %1

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22651935?dopt=Abstract

%R 10.1177/2211068212448428