Traffic-related air pollutants vary depending on the time of day and location. There is evidence that these pollutants may negatively affect both healthy individuals and those who have known health problems. Most workers travel to and from work during two times of day, which occur during weekday mornings and evenings and are known as "rush hours". More than half of the workforce in Hartford County, CT depart for work between 6:30 and 8:30 am. Therefore, a lot of traffic-related air pollutants are released during only a few hours of each day. Traffic-related air pollutant concentration may be more than twice the concentration observed during any other part of the day. This study is evaluating if changing the time that a person drives to work in the morning can result in reduced exposures to traffic-related pollutants and lead to health benefits.
The study involves wearing a backpack with air quality monitoring equipment for 4 days while you modify your commute to and from work. We ask that you wear the backpack on the 4 sampling days. The backpack is relatively lightweight weighing less than 5 pounds and quiet and is not expected to interfere with your daily activities. Participation will also involve blowing into two types of instruments that calculate lung performance, providing two urine samples, and having your blood pressure taken. All health assessments should be painless and are noninvasive. To learn more about the study and its eligibility requirements please visit: ETCH Online Eligibility Questionnaire. If you qualify for this study, we will contact you to discuss your possible interest and potentially schedule a time for the first study activity. You may be eligible for up to $120 compensation for completing all study-related activities.
Sincerely,
The ETCH Study
PI: Misti Levy Zamora
UConn Health | Department of Public Health Sciences
UConnAirPollutionStudy@uchc.edu
IRB #22-272-1
Effects of Transportation Choices on Commuter Health (ETCH): Impacts of modifiable factors on personal exposures and acute health
For more information, contact: Misti Levy Zamora at UConnAirPollutionStudy@uchc.edu