The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #61759

Linda Dimitropoulos, PhD¹, James Raymer, PhD², Jerry Rench, PhD³, and Michelle Spruill². (1) Survey Research Division, RTI International, 203 N. Wabash Suite #1900, Chicago, IL 60601, 312/456-5246, lld@rti.org, (2) ACS, RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Rd, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, (3) EMSP, RTI, 6110 Executive BLVD, Suite 420, Rockville, MD 20852-3907

There is abundant evidence calling for research into the effects of environmental exposure in children. Broadly, "environment" includes the chemical, physical, social, and behavioral influences. Compared to adults, children experience increased vulnerability to a number of organs or systems that are more susceptible to damage and disruption during periods of rapid maturation. Studies designed to answer questions about the synergistic role of these factors on health and development is necessarily long-term and complex. In general, three types of data are required: 1) survey data comprised of questionnaire data, diary data, or symptom checklists; 2) environmental measures such as dust and air quality; and 3) health and biological measurements including heart rate, blood pressure, and biologic specimens such as urine and saliva. The implementation of these studies poses a significant burden to the participants and there is significant cost. This US EPA sponsored study explored ways to reduce both the burden and cost associated with collection of data in exposure studies of children. Parents of children ages 0-1, 3-5 and 6-8 were trained to collect and ship age-appropriate biological and environmental specimens. Training, survey data collection and support was provided via the internet. This paper reports on compliance with the data collection protocols over the one-year data collection period and the adequacy of the collected specimens for analysis. Recommendations for future exposure studies are discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the growing need to collect social, biological and environmental Specimens in Exposure Studies of Children
• Discuss the challenges associated with multi-level data collection in exposure studies.
• Analyze low-burden, low-cost exposure designs.

Keywords: Challenges and Opportunities, Data Collection

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.