Diesel exhaust exposure among adolescents in Harlem: a community-driven study.
OBJECTIVE
This study sought individual-level data on diesel exhaust exposure and lung function among adolescents in Harlem as part of a community-driven research agenda.


METHODS
High school students administered in-person surveys to seventh grade students to ascertain information on demographics, asthma history, and self-reported and maternal smoking. Urine samples were assayed for 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HP), a marker of diesel exhaust exposure, and cotinine, a marker of tobacco smoke exposure. Computer-assisted spirometry was used to measure lung function.


RESULTS
Three quarters (76%) of the participating students had detectable levels of 1-HP. Three students (13%) had an FEF25-75 of less than or equal to 80% of their predicted measurements, and 4 students (17%) had results between 80% and 90% of the predicted value, all of which are suggestive of possible lung impairment.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that most adolescents in Harlem are exposed to detectable levels of diesel exhaust, a known exacerbator and possible cause of chronic lung disorders such as asthma. Community-driven research initiatives are important for empowering communities to make needed changes to improve their environments and health.
Northridge
M E
ME
Harlem Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, New York, NY, USA. men11@columbia.edu
Yankura
J
J
Kinney
P L
PL
Santella
R M
RM
Shepard
P
P
Riojas
Y
Y
Aggarwal
M
M
Strickland
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003367:Cotinine / Q000652:urine*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D011721:Pyrenes / Q000032:analysis*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D001335:Vehicle Emissions
D011721:Pyrenes; D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D003367:Cotinine; C033146:1-hydroxypyrene