Objectives

The objective of this work package is to relate the results of the detailed physico-chemical PM characterisation and the in-vitro, animal and experimental human studies to the epidemiological findings of the ISAAC-2 studies

Methodology and study materials The epidemiological data obtained in the ISAAC-2 studies in the Netherlands and Germany include data on allergic and other respiratory symptoms, skin test reactivity to common allergens, serum IgE (total and specific), and bronchial responsiveness to hypertonic saline. The data were collected in the years 1996-1998 in the western part of the Netherlands in locations close to busy freeways, and in Germany in Munich and Dresden. Both studies have collected extensive data on ambient pollution levels (particulate matter and gaseous components) that allow analysis of relations between health endpoints and these more common exposure variables (analysis and reporting in progress). The work to be conducted in this work package will extend the analysis to the new exposure markers produced by the toxicological and human experimental studies which form the core of this proposal. In view of the labor-intensiveness of the functional studies, 8 sites were selected to collect particulate material for inclusion in the functional studies: 4 in the Netherlands (high truck traffic/high car traffic – high truck traffic/low car traffic – low truck traffic/high car traffic – low truck traffic/low car traffic) and 4 in Germany (east: Dresden high-traffic city centre vs. low-traffic suburb; west: Munich high-traffic city centre vs. low-traffic suburb). The analysis will focus on differences in prevalence of symptoms of allergy and other chronic respiratory conditions between children studied at these 8 sites. The availability of a range of objective health measures (BHR, SPT, IgE, lung function) allows for a completely objective assessment of the relationship between the functional exposure markers and respiratory health. Enhanced exposure measures have been added which give a detailed insight in the physico-chemical characteristics of PM. This will help answer the relationships between transition metals, PM size and hydrocarbon and PAH profile to biomedical effects. Furthermore, the PAH profile is used to determine source contributions, similar to recent reports on the Californa PM pollution.

Deliverables This work package will deliver a report at the end of the study, describing the associations between the functional exposure markers and allergy and respiratory health status in school-age children living in Germany and the Netherlands, with special emphasis on exposure to traffic-related particulate matter and the specific components and sources involved.

Milestones and expected results The first milestone is the distribution of a statistical analysis plan for the analysis of the data to the other partners. This will be discussed with the toxicologists and the experimentalists to ensure optimal selection of functional exposure markers for use in the epidemiological data analysis. This milestone will be reached after 30 months into the study. The second milestone is the completion of the study report, 36 months into the study.