%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 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