Association between gaseous air pollutants and inflammatory, hemostatic and lipid markers in a cohort of midlife women.

Background: Exposures to ambient gaseous pollutants have been linked to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), but the biological mechanisms remain uncertain.

Objectives: This study examined the changes in CVD marker levels resulting from elevated exposure to ambient gaseous pollutants in midlife women.

Methods: Annual repeated measurements of several inflammatory, hemostatic and lipid makers were obtained from 2306 midlife women enrolled in the longitudinal Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) between 1999 and 2004.

Estimating the associations of apparent temperature and inflammatory, hemostatic, and lipid markers in a cohort of midlife women.

Associations between temperature and cardiovascular (CVD) mortality have been reported, but the underlying biological mechanisms remain uncertain. We explored the association between apparent temperature and serum biomarkers for CVD. Using linear mixed effects models, we examined the relationships between residence-proximate apparent temperature (same day and 1, 7, and 30 days prior) and several inflammatory, hemostatic, and lipid biomarkers for midlife women from 1999 through 2004.

A Time-Stratified Case-Crossover Study of Ambient Ozone Exposure and Emergency Department Visits for Specific Respiratory Diagnoses in California (2005-2008).

Background: Studies have explored ozone's connection to asthma and total respiratory emergency department visits (EDVs) but have neglected other specific respiratory diagnoses despite hypotheses relating ozone to respiratory infections and allergic responses.

Objective: We examined relationships between ozone and EDVs for respiratory visits, including specifically acute respiratory infections (ARI), asthma, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and upper respiratory tract inflammation (URTI).

Methods: We conducted a multi-site time-stratified case-crossover study of ozone exposures for approximately 3.

Residential exposure to traffic and spontaneous abortion.

Background: Studies have shown associations between air pollution or traffic exposure and adverse birth outcomes, such as low birth weight. However, very few studies have examined the effect of traffic emissions on spontaneous abortion (SAB).

Objective: The goal of this study was to determine whether residential exposure to vehicular traffic was associated with SAB.

The effect of temperature on hospital admissions in nine California counties.

Objectives: This study examined the association between mean daily apparent temperature and hospital admissions for several diseases in nine California counties from May to September, 1999 to 2005.

Methods: We conducted a time-stratified case-crossover study limited to cases with residential zip codes located within 10 km of a temperature monitor. County-specific estimates were combined, using a random effects meta-analysis.

Estimating the mortality effect of the July 2006 California heat wave.

Objective: As a result of the California heat wave in July 2006, county coroners reported that the high temperatures during that period caused approximately 147 deaths. However, heat wave-related deaths are likely to be underreported due to a lack of a clear case definition and the multi-factorial nature of heat-related mortality. Public health policy suggests a need for a careful assessment of mortality following a heat wave.

Agricultural dust exposure and respiratory symptoms among California farm operators.

Objective: To study whether dust exposure in California agriculture is a risk factor for respiratory symptoms.

Methods: A population-based survey of 1947 California farmers collected respiratory symptoms, occupational and personal exposures. Associations between dust and respiratory symptoms were assessed by logistic regression models.

The relation of occupational organic solvent exposure to symptom reporting in a sample of white and Chinese midlife women.

Objective: This study examined the relation of occupational solvent exposure to menopausal and other symptoms in midlife women.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 480 Chinese and 494 white women, aged 40-55 years, in Northern California. Levels of exposure to organic solvents (none, low, medium, or high) were assigned to each current job using a job-exposure matrix.

Proximity of California public schools to busy roads.

Residential proximity to busy roads has been associated with adverse health outcomes, and school location may also be an important determinant of children's exposure to traffic-related pollutants. The goal of this study was to examine the characteristics of public schools (grades K-12) in California (n = 7,460) by proximity to major roads. We determined maximum daily traffic counts for all roads within 150 m of the school using a statewide road network and a geographic information system.