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Assessing Exposure Factors of Asthmatic Children
Carvin D. Stevens, Ronald Williams and Thomas McCurdy
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Exposure Research Laboratory Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
Introduction
Since 1980, there has been a 75% increase in the prevalence of asthma in children in the U.S. The Tampa Asthmatic Children’s Study (TACS) was one of a number of pilot studies conducted to evaluate methods for assessing asthmatic children’s (< 6 yrs.) exposures to air pollutants.
Purpose
To develop and evaluate the accuracy of survey and
instruments to be used for the estimate of exposure,
evaluations used known facts, data, assumptions, inferences,
professional observations of exposure scenarios.
Conclusions
The information collected from the surveys and questionnaires were useful for identifying sources and activities that may impact asthmatic children’s exposures to air pollutants. The lower estimated ventilation rates likely resulted in lower potential intake doses for the asthmatic children, as compared with non-asthmatic children (fig.2). However, lifestyle factors such as sedentary activities, housing factors, and the amount of time spent indoors may have a greater influence on the disease state. The observations support the need to collect data on activities and lifestyle factors in large-scale asthma studies to model asthmatic children’s exposures and intake dose rates.
Disclaimer: Although this work was reviewed by EPA and approved for publication, it may not necessarily reflect official Agency policy.