Air Pollution

This page has a list of publications and news articles related to Air Pollution. Find more information about our research on Air Pollution.

HEI issues open call for preliminary applications

April 25, 2017

HEI has issued Request for Applications (RFA) 17-2, Health Effects of Air Pollution, which solicits small research projects on air pollution and health. The RFA provides an application mechanism for investigators whose area of interest falls outside the topics targeted in the current major research requests. RFA 17-2 requests preliminary applications for small, innovative studies on air pollution and health in general that are relevant to HEI’s current priorities. Please refer to Funding Opportunities on how to apply.

Lancet reports Global Burden of Disease 2015 PM2.5 results

April 13, 2017

The April 10 issue of the Lancet reports that exposure to ambient particulate matter was the fifth-ranking mortality risk factor in 2015, causing 4.2 million deaths and loss of 103.1 million disability-adjusted life-years worldwide.

Ozone study tests hypothesis on protective role of eosinophils

March 22, 2017

Research Report 191 describes a study by Allison Fryer and colleagues that addressed how exposure to ozone affects the immune and physiological responses in guinea pigs. In her study, Dr. Fryer focused on eosinophils, white blood cells that play an important role in inflammation, allergies, and allergic asthma, and can modify the airway response to ozone inhalation. This study tested a novel hypothesis: that allergic guinea pigs react differently to ozone than normal animals because of newly formed eosinophils that migrate from bone marrow to the lungs.

Research Report 191
Allison D Fryer
David B Jacoby
Sarah A Wicher
2017

Research Report 191 describes a study by Allison Fryer and colleagues that addressed how exposure to ozone affects the immune and physiological responses in guinea pigs. In her study, Dr. Fryer focused on eosinophils, white blood cells that play an important role in inflammation, allergies, and allergic asthma, and can modify the airway response to ozone inhalation. This study tested a novel hypothesis: that allergic guinea pigs react differently to ozone than normal animals because of newly formed eosinophils that migrate from bone marrow to the lungs.

Newsletter
Health Effects Institute
2017

In this issue of Update, read about HEI’s new “State of Global Air” annual report and website and our upcoming Annual Conference in Alexandria, Virginia (see the preliminary program). Also read about the recipient of the 2016 Walter A. Rosenblith New Investigator Award, the appointment of a new member to HEI’s Board of Directors, and HEI "Communicating the Science” at meetings in the U.S. and abroad.

Winter 2017 Update now available

February 15, 2017

In the Winter 2017 Update, read about HEI’s new “State of Global Air” annual report and website and our upcoming Annual Conference in Alexandria, Virginia. The newsletter also covers the recipient of the 2016 Walter A. Rosenblith New Investigator Award; the appointment of a new member to HEI’s Board of Directors; and HEI “Communicating the Science” at meetings in the U.S. and abroad.

HEI launches State of Global Air report and website

February 13, 2017

HEI has launched State of Global Air 2017 — a concise, accessible report and interactive website providing “one-stop shopping” for the latest trends in air quality and its impact on human health around the world. The report and website will be updated each year, highlighting the extent to which air pollution affects public health as well as tracking progress toward cleaner air.

Mònica Guxens selected for 2016 Rosenblith Award

February 6, 2017

Mònica Guxens, assistant research professor at Barcelona Institute for Global Health (formerly CREAL) in Barcelona, Spain, has received HEI’s 2016 Walter A. Rosenblith New Investigator Award for her proposal “Air Pollution, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Brain Imaging Amongst Children in Europe — the APACHE Project.” 

Annual Report for 2016 now available

January 31, 2017

The 2016 Annual Report, Trusted Science for Decisions, describes HEI’s partnership with scientists, government, industry, and the environmental community to provide high-quality, impartial, and relevant science to inform public policy decisions about air quality and public health.

Study suggests better air quality led to improved lung function in California children

January 23, 2017

Research Report 190 describes a study by Frank Gilliland and colleagues that was funded under HEI's Accountability research program. The investigators collected air quality data and lung function and respiratory symptom measures in three cohorts of children who participated in the Children’s Health Study in Southern California. During the 20-year study period, nearly 20 major policy actions were implemented to reduce pollution from transportation and other sources. Gilliland and colleagues evaluated whether the improved air quality was associated with improved lung function and respiratory symptoms in these children.