Impact of Airborne Heavy Metals on Lung Disease and the Environment

阿拉巴马大学伯明翰分校(UAB)超级基金研究计划(UAB-SRP)将解决 含重金属的环境空气污染及其对呼吸健康和环境的影响 退化。北伯明翰第35大道超级基金选址已被环保局提议在 国家优先事项清单。它位于阿拉巴马州伯明翰市中心。空气中的污染物 环保局确定的潜在问题包括镉、砷和锰，这些将在 UAB-SRP。该遗址是近2万人的家园，靠近焦炉、钢厂和 其他行业。人口主要是非裔美国人；他们回忆起他们最近在 伯明翰，AL和要求环境公平以及回答他们对他们的呼吸道问题的担忧 健康。慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)、 儿童哮喘和下呼吸道感染(LRTI)在受影响地区明显更高 与邻近的控制区相比，无论吸烟、社会经济地位或人口统计数据如何。这个 美国环保署正在修复该地区，清除几户人家的泥土，因为他们被认为 砷含量很高。UAB SRP包括三个生物医学项目和两个环境/ 将同时关注人类肺部健康和环境健康的工程项目。所有生物医学 项目包括对受影响地区的受试者进行直接研究，重点是慢性阻塞性肺病、哮喘和下呼吸道感染。这个 环境项目包括开发和使用“光学鼻子”来测量现场的毒物。 将研究利用纳米-微米杂化纤维材料去除污染物的修复。 通过社区参与促进与社区的透明、双向沟通 和行政/研究翻译核心。这一创新、基于问题、面向解决方案的UAB-SRP将 加深对环境健康的了解，并直接影响儿童的肺部健康 阿拉巴马州伯明翰的居民。

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Superfund Research Program (UAB-SRP) will address environmental airborne pollution with heavy metals, and its impact on respiratory health and environmental degradation. The 35th Avenue, North Birmingham superfund site has been proposed by the EPA to be put on the national priorities list. It is located in the heart of downtown Birmingham, Alabama. The Contaminants of Potential Concern, identified by the EPA include cadmium, arsenic and manganese which will be studied in the UAB-SRP. The site is home to nearly 20,000 people and is in close proximity to coke furnaces, steel mills and other industry. The population is predominantly African American; who recall their recent civil rights struggles in Birmingham, AL and request environmental equity as well as answers to their concerns about their respiratory health. The prevalence of chronic lung diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Asthma in children and Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (LRTI) is significantly higher in the Affected Area compared to the neighboring Control Area irrespective of smoking, socioeconomic status or demographics. The EPA is in the process of remediating the area, removing soil form several homes since they are recognized to have high arsenic levels. The UAB SRP consists of three biomedical projects and two environmental/ engineering projects that will focus on both human lung health and the health of the environment. All biomedical projects involve direct study of subjects from the Affected Area with a focus on COPD, Asthma and LRTI. The environmental projects include the development and use of an “optical nose” to measure toxicants in the field. Remediation by the use of Nano-Micro hybrid fibrous material for contaminant removal will be studied. Transparent, bidirectional communication with the community is fostered through the community engagement and Administrative/Research Translation cores. This innovative, problem based, solution oriented UAB-SRP will provide a deeper understanding of the health of the environment and directly impact the lung health of the residents of Birmingham, Alabama.