Abstract Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the association between asthma prevalence among children and residential exposure to environmental risk factors in an urban area. Methods: In this large cross-sectional study ("Breathe Easy in Erie County"), a standardized questionnaire was mailed with two consecutive follow-ups to 8,115 households with children 1-17 years old, and residing throughout the entire city of Buffalo, New York from 1997 - 1998. Information on asthma symptoms, demographics, family history of asthma, outdoor and indoor exposures, and access to medical care were collected by questionnaire. Potential residential exposure to urban air toxics (UATs) released from industrial facilities listed in the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) in Buffalo and hazardous waste sites (HWS)in the neighborhood were also estimated. Total concentrations of exposure to specific UATs from multiple TRI sites were evaluated by using an air-contaminant dispersion model. For the exposure assessment of UATs from HWS, contaminated areas were determined by using information including site history and background, contaminants concerned, potential exposure pathways, sampling data, meteorological conditions, and biological samples. Asthma cases were defined as having two out of seven asthma symptoms reported by the participants. Clinical tests including lung function tests and skin allergen tests, and indoor measurements such as allergens and metals in dust, and aldehydes and molds in air, were also conducted in a subsample of the participants. Results and Conclusion: The analyses are currently being conducted and the results will be presented at the meeting.
Learning Objectives: 1. Evaluate how environmental factors affect asthma prevalence among children. 2. Assess the association between asthma prevalence and residential exposure to urban air toxics.
Keywords: Asthma, Environmental Exposures
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.