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.
Harlem Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, New York, NY, USA. men11@columbia.edu
M E
ME
Northridge
J
J
Yankura
P L
PL
Kinney
R M
RM
Santella
P
P
Shepard
Y
Y
Riojas
M
M
Aggarwal
P
P
Strickland
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