Diesel exhaust exposure among adolescents in Harlem: a community-driven study.
M E Northridge,
J Yankura,
P L Kinney,
R M Santella,
P Shepard,
Y Riojas,
M Aggarwal and
P Strickland
Harlem Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, New York, NY, USA. men11@columbia.edu
OBJECTIVES: This study sought individual-level data on dieselexhaust exposure and lung function among adolescents in Harlemas part of a community-driven research agenda. METHODS: Highschool students administered in-person surveys to seventh gradestudents to ascertain information on demographics, asthma history,and self-reported and maternal smoking. Urine samples were assayedfor 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HP), a marker of diesel exhaust exposure,and cotinine, a marker of tobacco smoke exposure. Computer-assistedspirometry was used to measure lung function. RESULTS: Threequarters (76%) of the participating students had detectablelevels of 1-HP. Three students (13%) had an FEF25-75 of lessthan or equal to 80% of their predicted measurements, and 4students (17%) had results between 80% and 90% of the predictedvalue, all of which are suggestive of possible lung impairment.CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that most adolescents in Harlemare exposed to detectable levels of diesel exhaust, a knownexacerbator and possible cause of chronic lung disorders suchas asthma. Community-driven research initiatives are importantfor empowering communities to make needed changes to improvetheir environments and health.
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