| CalAsthma Update - December 20, 2007 |
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GENERAL
1) Funding Opportunity: EPA seeks proposals for Innovations in Clean Diesel
2) Funding Opportunity: Health Effects of Near-Roadway Exposures to Air Pollution
3) Funding Opportunity: Investigation of the Associations Between Air Pollution and Health Using Alternative Estimates of Human Exposure
4) Resource: Community Resources section added to CHE Website
5) Resource: National Pesticide Information Center is now multi-lingual
6) Study: Respiratory Effects of Exposure to Diesel Traffic Among People with Asthma
7) Study: Asthma Symptom Prevalence for State Legislative Districts
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
8) Job Announcement: Pacific Institute seeks Communications Director
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
9) Event: Open Airways for Schools Volunteer Facilitator Training in Fresno, February 4th
10) Input Needed: EPA Funding Workshop for the Central Valley
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GENERAL
1) Funding Opportunity: EPA seeks proposals for Innovations in Clean Diesel
EPA Region 9 is soliciting proposals for projects that reduce emissions from existing diesel engines within the jurisdiction of Region 9. Projects must demonstrate effective emissions reductions from existing diesel engine operations through a variety of strategies such as emission control technologies, idling reduction strategies, cleaner burning fuels, and alternative and biofuel production, distribution, and use. All projects must demonstrate applications, technologies, methods or approaches that are new, innovative or experimental. The EPA anticipates awarding a total of approximately $500,000 for 2-3 projects under this announcement (ranginging from no less than $75,000 to no more than $300,000). Proposals are due by February 15th. For more information, visit http://www.epa.gov/region09/funding/cleandiesel.html.
2) Funding Opportunity: Health Effects of Near-Roadway Exposures to Air Pollution
The EPA is soliciting proposals nationally for projects that assess the increased health risks associated with persons that live, attend school, or work in locations near heavily traveled roads. Programs should be able to conduct studies using data collected by the Office of Research and Development (ORD) for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Priority will be given to projects that rely on EPA air quality and exposure assessment data to develop human health studies that test hypotheses regarding the health effects of exposure to near-road emissions. The EPA anticipates funding one award, not to exceed $1.4 million. Proposals due by January 15th. For more information, visit http://es.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2008/2008_star_healtheffects.html.
3) Funding Opportunity: Investigation of the Associations Between Air Pollution and Health Using Alternative Estimates of Human Exposure
The EPA is soliciting proposals nationally to investigate the association between air pollution and health. The purpose of this program is to reduce uncertainties in the risk assessment process by providing a greater understanding of the fundamental determinants of exposure and dose, and of the basic biological changes that follow exposure to environmental toxicants. The goal of this program is to develop and evaluate the relative merits of alternative personal exposure indicators of ambient pollutants and gases of health concern. This program should apply innovative techniques to analyze health data and develop new approaches for exposure prediction. The EPA anticipates funding two awards, not to exceed $200,000 each. Proposals due January 30th. For more information, visit http://www.epa.gov/nerl/opportunities/exposure-health.pdf.
4) Resource: Community Resources section added to CHE Website
The Collaborative on Health and the Environment (CHE) has launched a Community Resources section on the CHE website. This section was developed with the Center for Environmental Health and serves as a resource for community-based participants on science and how it relates to community issues, and as a resource for those wanting to get a sense of how environmental justice and community sectors process and use scientific information for their issues. For more information, visit the site at http://www.healthandenvironment.org/resources/community
5) Resource: National Pesticide Information Center is now multi-lingual
The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) at Oregon State University now provides over-the-phone interpretation service in over 170 languages. NPIC specialists are now capable of communicating science-based, objective information on pesticide-related topics such as: technical/chemical information on labels, exposure and risk, safe use practices, signs and symptoms of pesticide poisoning, pesticide regulatory issues. NPIC specialists can also help people find assistance with emergency treatment for humans and animals, pesticide clean-up and disposal, laboratory analysis, and pesticide incident investigation. For more information, call 1-800-858-7378 or visit http://www.npic.orst.edu.
6) Study: Respiratory Effects of Exposure to Diesel Traffic Among People with Asthma
In a study published in the December 6th edition of The New England Journal of Medicine, researchers investigated the effects of short-term exposure to diesel traffic in people with asthma in an urban, roadside environment. Sixty adults with either mild or moderate asthma participated in a randomized, crossover study – each participant walked along the street and, on a separate occasion, through a nearby park. Results showed that participants had significantly higher exposures to fine particles, ultrafine particles, elemental carbon, and nitrogen dioxide while walking along the street than while in the park. Reductions in measures of forced expiratory volume and forced vital capacity were significantly larger for participants when they walked along the street than when they were in the park. The effects were greater in subjects with moderate asthma than in those with mild asthma. The study observations serve as a demonstration and explanation of the epidemiologic evidence that associates the degree of traffic exposure with lung function in asthma. To view an abstract of the study, visit http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/357/23/2348?query=TOC.
7) Study: Asthma Symptom Prevalence for State Legislative Districts
In a study published in the December edition of the journal Health Services Research, researchers created prevalence estimates of asthma symptoms by California legislative district. The data sources used for this study were the 2001 California Health Interview Survey, the 2000 Census, and 2000 – 2002 March Current Population Surveys. Data analyses were conducted that looked at the probability of ever having an asthma diagnosis and symptoms within the past 12 months within an Assembly district. Findings showed that asthma symptom prevalence geographically varied by age within and across Assembly districts throughout California. The authors concluded that these data can become reference tools for advocates and policy makers currently addressing asthma and other public health concerns in the state. To view an abstract of the study, visit http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1475-6773.2007.00793.x
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
8) Job Announcement: Pacific Institute seeks Communications Director
The Pacific Institute, an independent, non-profit center created to conduct interdisciplinary research and partner with stakeholders to produce solutions that advance environmental protection, economic development, and social equity, seeks a full-time Communications Director for their Oakland office. The Communications Director will work to enhance the Institute’s effectiveness by promoting the work to the media, policymakers, and scientific communities, local communities, and the general public. Responsibilities include strategic outreach, editing of publications, electronic communications, project management, organizational leadership, and serving as the information technology administrator. To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, three references, and a one to two page writing sample to Patricia Brenner, Director of Administration, at pbrenner@pacinst.org, mail to 654 13th Street, Oakland, CA 94612, or fax to 510-251-2203.
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
9) Event: Open Airways for Schools Volunteer Facilitator Training in Fresno, February 4th
The American Lung Association of California is holding a volunteer facilitator training for the Open Airways for Schools program on February 4th from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. in Fresno. Open Airways empowers elementary school children, ages 8-11, to manage their asthma through an interactive teaching curriculum that brings together children with asthma, their families, schools, and community volunteers. Volunteer instructors must attend this all-day training to be able to teach the Open Airways curriculum during six 40 minute classes during the school day. For more information or to register, contact Marcella at 916-554-LUNG ext. 240 or via e-mail at msciarrotta@alac.org.
10) Input Needed: EPA Funding Workshop for the Central Valley
The Central Valley Air Quality Coalition (CVAQ) is seeking input on whether there is interest among communities and organizations to attend a workshop, hosted by the EPA, to learn more about their grants and application process. The EPA is focusing in the San Joaquin Valley in the hope of getting more funding to the communities in the Valley. For more information, or to indicate your interest, contact Liza Bolanos at 559-486-3279 ext. 2 or via e-mail at liza@calcleanair.org.
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