The general aim of the project is to determine if long-term exposure to airborne particles is related to the development of atherosclerosis. Objectives are: (1) To examine the relationship between long-term exposure to air particles and the prevalence of subclinical atherosclerotic disease after controlling for established cardiovascular risk factors and key co-pollutants. (2) To examine if established cardiovascular risk factors modify the relation between long-term exposure to airborne particles and prevalence of subclinical disease. (3) To examine if associations between long-term exposure and atherosclerosis are similar in different race/ethnic groups; and (4) To examine associations between current and recent exposure to air particles and inflammatory markers (a potential biologic mechanism linking air particle exposure to atherosclerosis). Data on long-term exposure to PM10, estimated PM2.5, and the co-pollutants CO and NO2 will be obtained for 6500 persons participating in the Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), an ongoing NHLBI-funded longitudinal study of subclinical atherosclerosis. Three state-of the art measures of subclinical atherosclerosis (ultrasound assessed carotid intimal-medial wall thickness, CT assessed coronary calcium, and ankle-brachial blood pressure index) will be investigated. Detailed information on residential history since 1987 will be obtained from MESA participants. Residential history since 1987 will be linked in time and space to exposure estimates obtained by interpolation from the nationwide monitoring network for ambient air pollution. Long-term measures of exposure will be examined in relation to subclinical disease measures at baseline. Recent and current daily levels of PM2.5, PM10, CO, NO2, and Ozone will be examined in relation to concurrent measures of inflammatory markers obtained in the MESA baseline visit.
For more information please contact: Ana Diez Roux.