Principal Investigator(s):

Daniel Luttinger

Summary:

Project Update (281kb .pdf)

Epidemiological studies show a correlation between increased concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) in ambient air and adverse health effects, including exacerbated asthma episodes. However, data on the relationship between ambient concentrations of PM_2.5 constituents, other ambient air pollutants, and human health are limited.

To address this need, this project aims to evaluate temporal associations between an array of air contaminants and acute asthma exacerbation among residents of two communities in New York City. These communities differ in both rates of hospital admissions for asthma and socioeconomic characteristics: the South Bronx and lower Manhattan. Using air contaminant data, hospital data, and statistical analyses, the project's goals are to:

• Determine whether ambient levels of PM_2.5 and associated pollutants differ in the two neighborhoods;
• Compute the overall rates of asthma emergency room visits of residents of the two communities that are attributable to air contamination;
• Calculate the magnitude of the air pollution effect among residents of each community; and
• Calculate the magnitude of the air pollution effect among residents of each community; and investigate which pollutant or combination of pollutants are most associated with acute asthma exacerbation in each community and characterize the at-risk population for air contaminant-related asthma effects.

Partners:

Downloads:

Project Update (281kb .pdf)

Final Report (4.51MB .pdf)

Project Site(s):

Manhattan, South Bronx

Latitude/Longitude: (5kb .pdf)

Region(s): Metropolitan NY

County(ies): New York, Bronx

Sampling:

Sampled Medium(Media): Air

Analyte(s): sulfur dioxide, sulfates, ozone, nitrogen oxides, aldehydes, nitrous acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, ammonium, metals, elemental carbon, organic carbon, hydrogen ion, pollen, mold spores, PM^2.5, PM10, chromium, nickel, manganese, iron, particle number

Sampling Technolog(ies):

Sampling Frequency: daily measurements

Funding:

Total Costs: $1,589,239

NYSERDA Costs: $184,966

Funding Source(s): NYSERDA, Health Research Inc., ATSDR, NYSDOH

Contract Initiated: March, 2001

Estimated Completion Date: June, 2005

Links:

Related EMEP Projects: Philip Hopke 6820 and 7607, Mark Utell 4913

Contact:

Daniel Luttinger
NYS Department of Health
Bureau of Toxic Substance Assessment
Flanigan Square
547 River Street
Troy, New York 12180
PH: (518) 402-7820
Fax: (518) 402-7819
Email: dal02@health.state.ny.us