The Health Effects Institute
Welcome!
2012 HEI Annual Conference
Chicago, IL, April 15 - 17, 2012
Conference Presentation Slides now available.
HEI seeks a strong candidate to join the Institute's scientific staff with expertise in epidemiology and exposure assessment, ideally with an international perspective. Review of applicants will begin by June 1, 2012, but the position will be open until a suitable candidate is found. To read the full position announcement, click here.
Research Report 166, Advanced Collaborative Emissions Study (ACES) Subchronic Exposure Results: Biologic Responses in Rats and Mice and Assessment of Genotoxicity, provides the first systematic look at the health effects of exposures to emissions from a new technology heavy-duty diesel engine. Included in this report are results obtained in rats and mice exposed for 1 and 3 months (and some results in rats at 12 months) to exhaust from a 2007-compliant diesel engine with aftertreatment to reduce particulate matter concentrations. Part 1 describes the core inhalation study by Drs. Jake McDonald and Joe Mauderly of the Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, with results on general organ toxicity, lung histopathology, pulmonary function, and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in blood and lung lavage fluid. Parts 2 and 3 describe studies by Drs. Jeffrey Bemis of Litron Laboratories and Lance Hallberg of the University of Texas Medical Branch, respectively, assessing genotoxic endpoints in the exposed rodents. To download HEI Research Report 166, including a Commentary by the HEI ACES Review Panel, click here. To read the Press Release, click here.
The Spring 2012 Update is now available. Read about a new HEI health effects study of modern diesel engine emissions, HEI’s involvement in the upcoming IARC Review of Diesel and Gasoline Exhaust, and HEI President Dan Greenbaum’s testimony on “Producing Credible Science for Decisions.” Also included are new HEI studies on health outcomes and biomarkers, reports of studies in Latin America and Vietnam, and an upcoming workshop on assessing exposure to pollution from traffic. To download the newsletter, click here.
Research Report 165, Allergic Inflammation in the Human Lower Respiratory Tract Affected by Exposure to Diesel Exhaust, by Dr. Marc Riedl of the University of California—Los Angeles and colleagues evaluated the effects of exposure to diesel exhaust (DE) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on the lower airways and blood of allergic asthmatic participants. In the study, one part of HEI’s research program looking at particle exposures and allergic response, the participants were exposed in random order to 100 µg/m3 DE or 0.35 ppm NO2 for 2 hours, with or without an allergen inhalation challenge. The investigators measured multiple physiologic and pulmonary function endpoints, including specific airway resistance, oxygen saturation, bronchial reactivity, and inflammatory and immunologic endpoints. To download HEI Research Report 165, including a Commentary by the HEI Review Committee, click here.
Communication 17, Advanced Collaborative Emissions Study (ACES) Phase 3A: Characterization of U.S. 2007-Compliant Diesel Engine and Exposure System Operation, describes Phase 3A of ACES to test emissions and health effects of emissions from 2007- and 2010-compliant diesel engines. The Communication contains results from the characterization of exposure atmospheres by Drs. Joe Mauderly and Jake McDonald at the Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute in advance of the start of animal toxicity testing in ACES Phase 3B. It provides important background information on the emissions from one selected 2007-compliant engine and their concentrations in the animal exposure chambers. To download Communication 17, click here.
The 2011 Annual Report describes the prominent role of HEI science in addressing continuing air pollution challenges and regulatory deliberations in the United States and Europe. The report also describes many strong scientific contributions HEI made this past year, including recent studies of air pollution hot spots and HEI's growing portfolio of air pollution research in developing countries of Asia. Read more about HEI's accomplishments and future goals in the 2011 Annual Report, The Road Ahead...
Research Report 161, Assessment of the Health Impacts of Particulate Matter Characteristics, by Dr. Michelle Bell of Yale University to evaluate the effects of exposure to components of the PM2.5 mixture on short-term morbidity and mortality, using data on 52 components of PM2.5 for 187 US counties. The report explores regional and seasonal variation in the chemical composition of PM2.5 and whether this variation affects the association between short-term exposure to PM and health effects. To download HEI Research Report 161, including a Commentary by the HEI Review Committee, click here.
Research Report 162, Assessing the Impact of a Wood Stove Replacement Program on Air Quality and Children's Health, by Dr. Curtis Noonan of the University of Montana-Missoula and colleagues evaluated a community-wide program to improve air quality in a rural mountain community (Libby, Montana) by replacing older, more polluting wood stoves with new, less polluting stoves. Over the course of 4 winters, the investigators measured PM2.5 and markers for wood smoke outdoors, in schools, and in about 20 homes before and after stove changeout. In parallel, they tracked children's respiratory symptoms (based on parental surveys) and school absences. Click here to download HEI Research Report 162, including a Critique by the HEI Review Committee. Press Release
Research Report 164, Pulmonary Particulate Matter and Systemic Microvascular Dysfunction, by Dr. Timothy Nurkiewicz of the West Virginia University School of Medicine and colleagues evaluated whether exposure to fine or nano-titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles may affect cardiovascular endpoints, in particular endothelium-dependent vascular dilation. Rats were exposed via inhalation to 0.5 to 20 mg/m3 TiO2 for up to 12 hours and evaluated for vascular dilation and for markers of oxidative stress, coagulation, and inflammation. To download HEI Research Report 164, including a Critique by the HEI Review Committee, click here.
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