Air pollution effects on children's asthma and lung development
Childhood Asthma: Disease Course and Lung Function Trajectories and Air Pollution Exposure
This project follows children with asthma to find out how different kinds of air pollution affect their symptoms and lung growth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11231745 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will enroll about 300 children with asthma in a multi-ethnic Texas cohort called TexHALE and follow them over time. Children will have repeated breathing tests and asthma symptom checks during clinic visits. The team will measure tiny particle pollution at home and characterize where the particles come from and what they contain, and they will collect simple biological samples to look for signs of airway damage. The goal is to link specific pollution sources and particle types to kids whose asthma persists or whose lung growth slows.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children with asthma (school-age or younger) living in the Austin/Texas area whose families can participate in repeated clinic visits and home air sampling are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Children without asthma, adults, or families unable to complete multiple visits and home monitoring are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to particular pollution sources and particle types that harm children's lungs and inform ways to prevent worsening asthma or guide targeted care.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked higher particulate matter to poorer lung growth in children, but using detailed source- and composition-level pollution data plus biomarkers is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Austin, United States
- University of Texas at Austin — Austin, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Matsui, Elizabeth C. — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Matsui, Elizabeth C.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.