Impact of Airborne Heavy Metals on Lung Disease and the Environment

亚拉巴马大学伯明翰分校（UAB）超级基金研究计划（UAB-SRP）将解决 环境空气重金属污染及其对呼吸系统健康和环境的影响 降解第35大道，北伯明翰超级基金网站已被美国环保署提出， 国家优先事项清单。它位于亚拉巴马伯明翰市中心。中的污染物 美国环保署确定的潜在问题包括镉、砷和锰，将在 UAB-SRP。该工地是近2万人的家园，靠近焦炉、米尔斯和 其他行业。人口主要是非洲裔美国人;他们回忆起他们最近的民权斗争， 伯明翰，AL和要求环境公平，以及对他们的呼吸问题的答案， 健康慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）等慢性肺病的患病率， 受影响地区的儿童哮喘和下呼吸道感染（LRTI）明显较高 与邻近的控制区相比，不考虑吸烟，社会经济地位或人口统计。的 环保署正在对该地区进行修复，清除几户人家的土壤，因为他们被认为是 砷含量很高UAB SRP包括三个生物医学项目和两个环境/生物技术项目。 工程项目，将侧重于人类肺部健康和环境健康。所有生物医学 项目涉及直接研究受影响地区的受试者，重点是COPD，哮喘和LRTI。的 环境项目包括开发和使用"光学鼻"来测量实地有毒物质。 将研究利用纳米-微米混合纤维材料去除污染物的修复方法。 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。这种创新的、基于问题的、面向解决方案的UAB-SRP将 提供对环境健康的更深入了解，并直接影响 亚拉巴马伯明翰的居民。

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.