Winter inversions and sudden heart and lung problems in western U.S. cities
A multicity study of wintertime inversions and acute cardiorespiratory health events in the western U.S.
This project checks if winter temperature inversions that trap fine particle pollution (PM2.5) raise short-term heart and lung emergency events for people living in western U.S. cities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11032892 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will combine air-monitoring data and chemical analyses across several western U.S. cities to see how winter temperature inversions change the makeup of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). They will use models to separate directly emitted particles from secondary particles formed in the atmosphere and link those pollution patterns to short-term increases in emergency room visits and hospitalizations for heart and lung conditions. The team will compare events across cities and seasons to identify whether inversion-driven secondary PM2.5 is tied to spikes in cardiorespiratory problems. Results will be derived from existing air measurements and health records rather than by enrolling patients into interventions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who live in the participating western U.S. cities—especially older adults and those with asthma, COPD, or heart disease—are the most relevant population for the health findings.
Not a fit: People who live outside the studied western U.S. cities or whose conditions are unrelated to air pollution exposure are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help target pollution controls and public-health warnings during winter inversions to reduce acute heart and lung events.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked short-term PM2.5 spikes to heart and lung problems, but tracing the specific secondary sources during winter inversion episodes is a newer, less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Salt Lake City, United States
- Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah — Salt Lake City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Holmes, Heather a — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Holmes, Heather a
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.