Exposure Assessment

Vehicles are the third most occupied microenvironment, other than home and workplace, in developed urban areas. Vehicle cabins are confined spaces where occupants can mitigate their exposure to on-road nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations. Understanding which parameters exert the greatest influence on in-vehicle exposure underpins advice to drivers and vehicle occupants in general.

Epidemiologic studies support associations of exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), such as some phthalates, phenols, and parabens with a wide range of cognitive and behavioral traits. While many of these traits are associated with academic achievement, the relationship of EDC exposure specifically with academic achievement in adolescence has not yet been studied.

Epigenome-wide association studies of ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) have been reported. However, few have examined PM2.5 components (PMCs) and sources or included repeated measures. The lack of high-resolution exposure measurements is the key limitation. We hypothesized that significant changes in DNA methylation might vary by PMCs and the sources.

Studies of prenatal air pollution (AP) exposure on child neurodevelopment have mostly focused on a single pollutant. We leveraged daily exposure data and implemented novel data-driven statistical approaches to assess effects of prenatal exposure to a mixture of seven air pollutants on cognitive functioning in school-age children from an urban pregnancy cohort.

Exposure to phthalates, adipates, bisphenol-A (BPA), and pesticides may have important health consequences for children, but little is known regarding their presence in school meals, a major food source for children. The aims of this study were to determine the presence of phthalates, adipates, BPA, and pesticides in school meals.