Grantee Research Project Results
Contra Costa Climate, Air Pollution, and Pregnancy Study (CC CAPS)
EPA Grant Number: R840475Title: Contra Costa Climate, Air Pollution, and Pregnancy Study (CC CAPS)
Investigators: Krieger, Elena , Pillarisetti, Ajay , Shonkoff, Seth BC. , Hill, Lee Ann , Lukanov, Boris , Apte, Joshua S. , Riddell, Corinne , Balmes, John R. , Morello-Frosch, Rachel
Current Investigators: Krieger, Elena , Balmes, John R. , Morello-Frosch, Rachel , Apte, Joshua S. , Pillarisetti, Ajay , Shonkoff, Seth BC. , Hill, Lee Ann , Lukanov, Boris , Riddell, Corinne
Institution: Physicians, Scientists, and Engineers (PSE) for Healthy Energy , University of California - Berkeley
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: November 1, 2022 through May 7, 2025
Project Amount: $1,350,000
RFA: Cumulative Health Impacts at the Intersection of Climate Change, Environmental Justice, and Vulnerable Populations/Lifestages: Community-Based Research for Solutions (2021) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Endocrine Disruptors , Environmental Justice , Human Health , Watersheds , Wildfires
Objective:
We utilize an existing spatiotemporally resolved lower-cost air monitoring network in Richmond, CA and aggregate data from other networks across Contra Costa County for three aims: (1) characterize local disparities in exposure to air pollution, heat, and humidity, and the impact of wildfires on exacerbating these disparities; (2) assess relationships between exposure and perinatal outcomes; and (3) model community-driven interventions and policies to reduce exposures and health impacts. We establish a stakeholder advisory committee of representatives from local agencies, non-profit organizations, and the community-at-large, which help guide the scope and direction of the overall project.
Approach:
For Aim I, we combine data from our monitoring network with existing publicly available data and estimate exposures at the census tract scale. We link exposure data with population and vulnerability characteristics from CalEnviroScreen 4.0 and the American Community Survey. We identify areas and populations disproportionately exposed to air pollution and heat and where projected climate impacts are likely to exacerbate these exposures, and create easy-to-use tools to share this information widely. For Aim II, we use statistical models to estimate associations between exposures and birthweight (linear) and preterm birth (logistic) across Contra Costa County. For Aim III, we work with the community to identify viable interventions to decrease the impact of exposures and model health impacts using burden of disease and other counterfactual techniques. We then estimate costs and benefits and describe implications for policies targeting the most vulnerable and exposed populations.
Expected Results:
We will demonstrate the utility of continuous monitoring of air pollution, temperature, and humidity to identify community hotspots of exposure, to understand relationships with health, and to highlight ongoing environmental justice concerns in Contra Costa County. These types of lower-cost monitors complement and enhance existing risk and exposure management strategies by providing a nuanced and more highly spatiotemporally resolved measure of pollutant levels. When viewed through an environmental justice framework, they enable targeting of mitigative measures to the most impacted, most vulnerable communities.
Supplemental Keywords:
Richmond, California, East Bay, AB 617, air pollution, heat, humidity, wildfire smoke, exposure assessment, PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, black carbon, environmental justice, low cost sensor network, sensors, PurpleAiProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.