Ultrafine Particles from Traffic Emissions and Children’s Health (UPTECH) in Brisbane, Queensland (Australia): Study Design and Implementation

Wafaa Nabil Ezz, Mandana Mazaheri, Paul Robinson, Graham R. Johnson, Samuel Clifford, Congrong He, Lidia Morawska and Guy B. Marks
Additional contact information
Wafaa Nabil Ezz: Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, 431 Glebe Point Road, Glebe, NSW 2037, Australia
Mandana Mazaheri: International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
Paul Robinson: Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, 431 Glebe Point Road, Glebe, NSW 2037, Australia
Graham R. Johnson: International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
Samuel Clifford: International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
Congrong He: International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
Lidia Morawska: International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
Guy B. Marks: Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, 431 Glebe Point Road, Glebe, NSW 2037, Australia

IJERPH, 2015, vol. 12, issue 2, 1-16

Abstract: Ultrafine particles are particles that are less than 0.1 micrometres (µm) in diameter. Due to their very small size they can penetrate deep into the lungs, and potentially cause more damage than larger particles. The Ultrafine Particles from Traffic Emissions and Children’s Health (UPTECH) study is the first Australian epidemiological study to assess the health effects of ultrafine particles on children’s health in general and peripheral airways in particular. The study is being conducted in Brisbane, Australia. Continuous indoor and outdoor air pollution monitoring was conducted within each of the twenty five participating school campuses to measure particulate matter, including in the ultrafine size range, and gases. Respiratory health effects were evaluated by conducting the following tests on participating children at each school: spirometry, forced oscillation technique (FOT) and multiple breath nitrogen washout test (MBNW) (to assess airway function), fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO, to assess airway inflammation), blood cotinine levels (to assess exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke), and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (to measure systemic inflammation). A pilot study was conducted prior to commencing the main study to assess the feasibility and reliably of measurement of some of the clinical tests that have been proposed for the main study. Air pollutant exposure measurements were not included in the pilot study.

Keywords: ultrafine particles; children; traffic; respiratory; air pollution; monitoring (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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