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REQUEST FOR PRELIMINARY APPLICATIONS 98-4

RESEARCH ON METALS EMITTED BY MOTOR VEHICLES

Introduction
Background and Objectives
Application Process and Deadlines
Evaluation Process

INTRODUCTION

The presence of metals in the environment has received increasing attention in recent years. Metals comprise a complex group of elements with a broad range of toxic effects, including cancer, neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, teratogenesis, and genotoxicity. Some metals are toxic at very low levels. Their accumulation in the environment is of concern because they are not biodegradable; their chemical state may change, however, and this may affect their toxicity. Metals exist in several valence states and form a vast variety of inorganic and organic compounds. Although metals may be toxic, many are essential to living systems because they participate in a variety of cellular, physiological, and structural functions. In addition, one of the leading hypotheses concerning toxicity of particulate matter involves the transition metals carried on the particles.

Metals are used in a variety of ways in motor vehicles. In addition to their structural function and use in batteries, they are used in catalytic converters and as fuel additives to reduce certain emissions or improve engine performance, and are also found in brake pads. Although metals are added for useful purposes, such as decreasing emissions of concern (e.g. particulate matter), they have the potential of causing other changes in emissions that may increase the toxicity of other agents (such as changing the particle size distribution) or may produce toxicity on their own. Therefore, it is important to explore the effects of these metal compounds before their widespread use in fuels and in other technological developments.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

To inform HEI's Research Committee about the use of metals as fuel additives and about other exposures to metals from mobile sources, HEI held a workshop in February 1998. The goal was to help HEI define priorities for a research program on metals by understanding better which additives were most likely to be used, how much is known about their chemical form and concentration in emissions, the toxicity of these emissions, and what research is being conducted. A summary of this workshop is enclosed as Attachment A.

HEI is interested in investigating a variety of issues about metals that may be used in the future as components of additives. Metals of interest include, but are not limited to, cerium, iron (ferrocene), and manganese (MMT). Some of the research that has already been undertaken on these metal compounds is described briefly in Attachment A, Summary of a Workshop on Metal-Based Fuel Additives and New Engine Technologies. Also of interest are other metals found in tailpipe exhaust or in other emissions from motor vehicles. Some important research issues are discussed in the workshop summary under discussions of particular metal-containing compounds. HEI is interested in research that is complementary to ongoing or planned testing or research on metals found in motor vehicle emissions.

Cerium and iron (as part of ferrocene) are being considered as diesel fuel additives in conjunction with a filter (or trap) to reduce particulate emissions. Some other metals may also be used in this way. The extent to which these additives may be used in the future is uncertain, and different automobile, engine, and fuel companies have different views about using additives. However, there is sufficient likelihood of their use to warrant investigation of the potential health effects. While such additives may also be subject to future testing under regulations for fuels and fuel additives (Section 211 of the Clean Air Act), HEI is seeking to initiate studies now that can begin to better define potential health effects of interest and concern.

Manganese is part of methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT), a compound that can be added to gasoline as an anti-knock agent. Under Section 211 regulations, EPA has been negotiating with Ethyl Corporation, the producer of MMT, to support testing and research on MMT. HEI is seeking research that does not duplicate that work, which is expected to consist of assessing personal exposure to manganese associated with MMT in gasoline, characterizing MMT emission products, and testing of these emission product(s) in rodents and primates. Studies that HEI would be interested in funding include, but are not limited to, tranformation of the form of manganese after emission, comparative pharmacokinetics and toxicity of different oxidative states of manganese, mechanisms of susceptibility, and mechanisms of neurotoxicity, with a particular emphasis on studies relevant to effects on humans (see workshop discussion p. 12).

In addition to metal-containing fuel additives, there are other sources of metals in emissions from motor vehicles that are of potential concern. These include:

(1) metals associated with particles in tailpipe emissions that may be derived from the fuel lubricant or from engine wear (e.g., iron, chromium, nickel, copper);

(2) metals (including platinum, palladium, and rhodium) used as catalysts in catalytic converters that reduce emissions of hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide; platinum attached to aluminum oxide particles has been found in emissions from cars that use platinum-containing catalytic converters, and concerns have been raised about possible exposure to palladium;

(3) several metals (such as aluminum, antimony, copper, iron, calcium, zirconium, and titanium) found as part of brake pads that may be present in particulate emissions from wear of brake pads.

In addition to the research topics discussed above and in the workshop summary, HEI's Research Committee has expressed interest in a number of more generic issues that are important in considering exposure to and health effects of metals. These are listed below.

HEI would like to develop a research program on metals of concern in emissions from current or future motor vehicles. The intent of this program is to address significant issues that are not being addressed by other research organizations. Up to $1.5 million is available for research funded through this RFPA. We encourage applications for two-year studies rather than longer investigations when feasible.

RFPA 98-4:    APPLICATION PROCESS AND DEADLINES

The application process consists of two stages. The first stage involves submission of a preliminary application, which will be reviewed by the Research Committee. If the Research Committee expresses interest in the application, the investigator will be asked to prepare a full application.

PRELIMINARY APPLICATION

The preliminary application should contain two elements: (1) a description of the project plan containing an outline of the intended experimental techniques; and (2) a rationale for the proposed study indicating its importance in light of current insights, knowledge, and ongoing work on metal fuel additives or other metals of potential concern in motor vehicle emissions. It is essential that both the scientific questions being addressed and the methodological approach be explained clearly. When critical, the experience of the investigators and the availability of any special equipment and facilities should be mentioned. The preliminary application must be no more than five pages in length. Five copies are needed for our review process.

In addition to the application, a brief curriculum vitae of the principal investigator and co-investigators should be provided. Detailed budgetary information is not desired in the preliminary application, but investigators should indicate the estimated scope of the project in terms of time and money.

The deadline for submission of preliminary applications for RFPA 98-4 is Friday, January 22, 1999. Preliminary applications will be discussed by the HEI Research Committee at its February meeting. Investigators will be informed of the Committee's decisions in mid-February.

Questions about preliminary applications for RFPA 98-4 should be directed to Drs. Geoffrey Sunshine or Martha Richmond at (617)876-6700 or by e-mail: gsunshine@healtheffects.org or mrichmond@healtheffects.org

Preliminary applications should be sent to:
Ms. Terésa Fasulo
Senior Administrative Assistant
Health Effects Institute
955 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02139
Tel: (617) 876-6700

FULL APPLICATION

Investigators asked to prepare a full application should utilize forms found by clicking here (PDF format, 55 KB) and consult Instructions for Completing the Application. The full application will be due on Tuesday, April 20, 1999.

RFPA 98-4: EVALUATION PROCESS

PRELIMINARY APPLICATION

The HEI Research Committee will evaluate preliminary applications received in response to RFPA 98-4 according to the following criteria:

Applicants will be informed about the Research Committee's decision about their preliminary applications in mid-February 1999.

FULL APPLICATION

Full applications will be evaluated in a two-stage process. First, scientists selected for their relevant expertise will evaluate the applications according to the following criteria:

The Research Committee will then review the full applications with consideration of the reviewers' comments and the goals of the research program. The Research Committee makes final recommendations regarding funding of studies to the Institute's Board of Directors, which makes the final decision.

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