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The Effects of Ultrafine Particulate Matter on Respiratory and Mental Health in a Population of Asthmatic Adolescents

Turner, Ashley L
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7741-228X
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1627659038390079

Abstract Details

2021, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Medicine: Industrial Hygiene (Environmental Health).
A large number of preventable deaths are attributable to air pollution each year. Ultrafine particles (UFPs, < 100 nm in diameter) are arguably more toxic than larger particles because of their ability to deposit into lung alveoli and translocate into circulation and secondary organs including the brain. Although the biological mechanisms responsible for UFP effects have been posited in toxicological literature, supporting epidemiological findings are inconsistent. Less literature exists for children, though they may be at an increased risk of exposure, representing a significant knowledge gap. Children inhale UFPs at greater deposition rates and incur greater pulmonary or neural structure and function damage due to UFPs. However, UFP exposure at an individual level is not accurately characterized by traditional measurement methods due to the spatial-temporal variability in UFP levels. Therefore, the objective of this dissertation was to employ personal sampling monitors among adolescents to describe short-term UFP exposure across individual time-activity patterns. We used these measurements to estimate the relationship of UFPs on both respiratory and mental health. The first chapter consisted of a literature review on current knowledge in the field, with a focus on pediatrics, while the second and third chapters were devoted to results obtained from the EcoMAPPE study. Results of the literature review revealed there is not sufficient evidence to support an association between UFPs and either respiratory or mental health outcomes. In the current study, adolescents measured personal UFP concentrations over one week (3 hours per day). Pulmonary function tests were conducted at a follow-up clinic visit and were interpreted as percent predicted values. In addition, personal spirometers were employed to collect various lung function values by participants throughout their sampling week. Participants reported respiratory symptoms through a mobile application. Finally, the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) was used to collect information on various mental, social, and physical health domains. We observed weekly median UFP concentrations were not associated with lung function. Significant effect modification by asthma status was observed in the association between UFP exposure and total weekly respiratory symptoms (RR (relative risk) = 1.68, 95% CI [1.31, 2.14]). We then assessed the relationship between UFP exposure and mental health. Increases in weekly median UFP exposure were significantly associated with physical stress (ß: 5.92, 95%CI [0.72, 11.13]). Mixed-effects models were used to determine relationships between 30-min retrospective averages of UFP exposure windows (up to 150 minutes) and personal FEV1/PEF or respiratory symptom responses. We observed that decreases in FEV1 values were associated with UFP exposure 90 minutes prior, and remained significant upon adjustment for covariates. Effect modification was detected, such that asthmatics experienced lower FEV1 values and more respiratory symptoms at the time of, and at 30 minutes prior to the exposure. Results of this dissertation are the first to identify that sub-hourly UFP exposure time windows are associated with decreased respiratory health in children and that physical stress is associated with short-term UFP exposure. These observations highlight the aptness of using personal sampling methods in future epidemiological studies.
Tiina Reponen, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Richard Brokamp, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Patrick Ryan, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
158 p.
Environmental Health
respiratory health; ultrafine particles; personal exposure; mental health; pediatric health; ecological momentary assessment

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Turner, A. L. (2021). The Effects of Ultrafine Particulate Matter on Respiratory and Mental Health in a Population of Asthmatic Adolescents [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1627659038390079

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Turner, Ashley. The Effects of Ultrafine Particulate Matter on Respiratory and Mental Health in a Population of Asthmatic Adolescents. 2021. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1627659038390079.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Turner, Ashley. "The Effects of Ultrafine Particulate Matter on Respiratory and Mental Health in a Population of Asthmatic Adolescents." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1627659038390079

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1627659038390079
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This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.