Batterman Lab - Exposure and Environmental Impact Assessment

Our research interests span occupational, environmental and ecological settings. We are especially interested in exposure assessment of conventional and emerging contaminants for purposes of environmental impact and health impact assessment, environmental epidemiology, and risk assessment. We are also interested in controls, mitigations and other interventions, and means to assess their effectiveness. Finally, we are interesting in new techniques to address environmental health and science problems, including the development and adaptation of new technology, environmental modeling and statistics, and multidisciplinary work to address environmental health and sustainability problems

Research Areas

Ambient air quality and air pollution epidemiology
Urban scale pollution, including conventional and toxic air pollutants, are examined using a variety of monitoring, modeling, and source apportionment techniques.
>> Relationship Between Personal Exposures to VOCs and Behavioral, Socioeconomic, Demographic Characteristics: Analysis of the NHANES VOC Project Data Set The goals of this project are to characterize the distribution of exposures to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) measured as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) population.
>> Role of Diesel and Other Vehicular Exhaust in Exacerbation of Childhood Asthma This project examines the relationship between ambient and indoor exposure to diesel exhaust and other air pollutants and the response of children with asthma living in the Detroit area.
>> The Detroit Asthma Morbidity, Air Quality and Traffic (DAMAT) Study This study will develop and evaluate a direct health indicator of pediatric asthma morbidity resulting from exposure to ambient air pollutants using an epidemiological approach that merges existing datasets and incorporates population susceptibility, exposure patterns, and other local conditions.
>> The Health Status and Risk Factors Associated With Adverse Health Outcomes Among The Durban South Community Durban Metro, South Africa The objectives of this study are to (1) determine the health status of the Durban South residents, with specific reference to respiratory health outcomes and other chronic diseases and to determine the relationship between environmental pollution, these health outcomes and the quality of life within this community, particularly among susceptible populations, and (2) to describe the range of ambient exposures and to assess the potential risks posed by such exposures to the health of the community in the Durban South.
>> Understanding Exposure to Volatile Organic Air Toxics This research characterizes the distributions and determinants of air pollutant exposures of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in representative urban populations along an urban/industrial gradient, and investigates microenvironments and other factors affecting exposures

Indoor air quality
Pollutant concentrations indoors often exceed outdoor levels. We examine factors affecting IAQ, including emissions, air exchange rates, and occupant behaviors, and also examine means to improve air quality and reduce exposure.
>> Relationship Between Personal Exposures to VOCs and Behavioral, Socioeconomic, Demographic Characteristics: Analysis of the NHANES VOC Project Data Set The goals of this project are to characterize the distribution of exposures to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) measured as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) population.
>> Understanding Exposure to Volatile Organic Air Toxics This research characterizes the distributions and determinants of air pollutant exposures of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in representative urban populations along an urban/industrial gradient, and investigates microenvironments and other factors affecting exposures

Emerging chemical threats and environmental measurements
Brominated and fluorinated compounds are now ubiquitous in the environment. Many of these contaminants bioaccumulate in fish and other organisms. We are investigating the sources and pathways that lead to exposure. The ability to make measurements of toxic chemicals in environmental and biological media is key to understanding exposures. Our laboratory activities focus on organic chemicals ranging from volatile organic compounds (like benzene and perchloroethylene) to semi-volatile compounds (like PCBs and dioxin).
>> Emissions of Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs) from Industrial and Commercial Sources in the Great Lakes Region This research aims to better understand the distribution of mobile BFRs in residential, commercial and industrial buildings and to estimate emissions from urban sources into ambient air that may ultimately be deposited into the Great Lakes region
>> Emissions of PBDEs from Urban Sources in the Great Lakes Region This research aims to better understand the emissions of PBDEs from residential buildings and to estimate emissions from urban sources into ambient air that may ultimately be deposited into the Great Lakes region
>> High Resolution Breath Monitoring of VOC Mixtures The objective of this pilot research project is to improve breath monitoring instrumentation and to demonstrate its application to VOC mixtures in occupational settings
>> Sources, Transport and Impacts of PBDEs In The Russian Arctic This partnership between UM and Centre for Environmental Chemistry in Obninsk, Russia will address the migration and impacts of persistent organic pollutants in the Arctic region.

Occupational exposures, including hospital and hazardous waste
Workers can be highly exposed to chemicals, and the ability to understand sources and activities that lead to contaminant exposure is essential in mitigating exposures and risks. Often, occupational studies of chemical exposure increase the understanding the effects of chemical exposures. Exposures out of the workplace, in homes, outdoors, vehicles, and other settings, are also important and contribute to an individuals cumulative exposure. It is important to note that inappropriate disposal practices remain common, especially in developing countries. Often, trade-offs between risk of reinfection, exposure and cost appear problematic. We investigate best management practices aimed at reducing waste generation and ensuring appropriate disposal.
>> Emission and Permeation Characteristics of Biofuels: Potential for Worker Exposure This pilot project is aimed at enhancing the vapor profiles of biofuels through volatilization, to understand the permeability of biofuel through different elastomers and to evaluate the respiratory exposure of employees in the biorefinery plants.
>> Health and Environmental Impacts of Alternative (Biofuel) Fuels This project has the objective of understanding the emissions and impacts of trace organic compounds associated with alternative fuels. It includes an experimental program designed to fill existing data gaps regarding toxic emissions, exposures and risks of biofuels, combined with a modeling/analysis program to explore large scale impacts, risks and policies
>> International Training and Research in Environmental and Occupational Health This grant sponsors students, research, training and faculty exchange for personnel in southern African in academic, governmental and labor organizations addressing environmental and industrial health issues
>> Michigan Education and Research Center in Occupational and Environmental Health This training grant addresses the need for occupational safety and health professionals who specialize in hazardous substances and provides training for students in Industrial Hygiene and Environmental Health Sciences, faculty development and course revision. Prof. Batterman is director of Hazardous Substances Academic Training Program component of ERC Center grant.
>> VOC and PAH Exposure and Health Effects Among Workers at Petrochemical Processes This project is aimed at characterizing and controlling exposures at petroleum refineries in India, and will develop capacity for advanced methods at the National Institute of Occupational Health in Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad. Currently there are 17 oil refineries producing a total of 127 million tons per year of petroleum products in India. The single private sector facility - and the largest -- is in Jamnagar, Gujarat State, producing 27 million tons per year. All refinieries are increasing production. This project has the objectives of : utilizing state-of-the-art methods to monitor toxic emissions, e.g., thermal desorption and GC-MS analysis; utilizing urinary benzene, 1-hydroxypyrene and other biomarkers of worker exposure; evaluating personal exposure of a subset of refinery workers; surveying health effects of these workers; and suggesting possible interventions and controls to reduce exposures to toxic pollutants.

Infectious Water-Related Disease
Water and disease-related issues represent major roadblocks on the path to sustainable development. For example, about 80% of illness and death in the developing world is water-related; half the world's hospital beds are occupied by people with water-related diseases; water-related illness (diarrhea and malaria alone) are by far the largest cause of under-five mortality (34%) in Africa in the 2000-03 period; preventable deaths from water-related disease are estimated to range up to 5 million people per year, most of them being children; and infant mortality in low-income countries is more than 13 times higher than in wealthier countries. This work is aimed at improving this situation by proving appropriate interventions aimed at minimizing disease.
>> Mozambique Program for Healthcare facility waste treatment This project is upgrading the waste management and control program for hospital and medical waste in Mozambique, a part of the JHPIEGO Mozambique Program in infection prevention and controlIn health care settings, occupational exposure to blood and body fluids puts health care providers at risk of infection with blood-borne pathogens, such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV. Of the 35 million health workers worldwide, about three million are exposed to such pathogens each year through percutaneous injuries (from syringes and other sharp instruments). These accidents may result in 15,000 HCV, 70,000 HBV and 500 HIV infections. And more than 90% of these infections occur in developing countries, where health workers often lack the knowledge, skills and resources necessary to protect themselves and their clients from becoming infected. Fortunately, health care-related infections, like other occupational hazards, are largely preventable, as shown by the low rates of such infections in countries that have engaged in serious infection prevention efforts-including training of health workers in infection prevention and control (IPC) practices, HBV immunization, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV, improved waste management and other measures. Ensuring that health facilities are safe and healthy places, for clients/patients and health workers, is a high priority for the health industry worldwide. It is particularly relevant in countries that face a significant shortage of health care personnel-the human resources for health-who are essential for delivering high-quality health services and achieving the countries' health goals. These countries cannot afford to continue to lose health workers because of illness, disability or premature death from becoming infected, or from fear of becoming infected. This work addresses the development of capacity for handling hospital waste and general waste management issues. (Adapted from JHPIEGO http://www.jhpiego.org/whatwedo/ipc.htm)
>> Sustainable Control of Water-Associated Diseases: A Systems Approach In this project, we are coordinating a multidisciplinary group of faculty to: (1) Review the approaches used to evaluate and manage, hopefully in a sustainable manner, water-associated diseases. The review identifies some of the patterns and themes in the field, including unanticipated problems, complexity, and knowledge gaps; (2) Frames some of the issues, defines several key terms, and highlights some new approaches. Ultimately, we hope to provide a rigorous framework and methodology that is broadly applicable to the problem given its complexity and dynamics; and (3) Encourages discussions and interactions among a multidisciplinary group to further research in this area.

International Health
In Africa and elsewhere, there is huge need for capacity development and research to address local needs. The Fogarty International Center, World Health Organization, CDC, and others support training and infrastructure projects. Faculty and occasionally students participate in these endeavors.
>> Energy for Sustainability This multidisciplinary program is an initiative of the University of Coimbra (UC), bringing together faculty from Engineering, Economics, Architecture and other programs in the areas of energy and sustainable development. The program aims at transferring knowledge to society through interaction with policy makers, managers, and technicians in positions of responsibility throughout multiple sectors of activity. To keep a strong link with real-world problems, the EfS initiative engages companies and other organizations that identify with its purposes. The University of Coimbra offers advanced educational programs, which include a Masters degree and a Doctoral degree, in association with the MIT Portugal Program. Professor Batterman assists in the development of this program.
>> International Training and Research in Environmental and Occupational Health This grant sponsors students, research, training and faculty exchange for personnel in southern African in academic, governmental and labor organizations addressing environmental and industrial health issues
>> Mozambique Program for Healthcare facility waste treatment This project is upgrading the waste management and control program for hospital and medical waste in Mozambique, a part of the JHPIEGO Mozambique Program in infection prevention and controlIn health care settings, occupational exposure to blood and body fluids puts health care providers at risk of infection with blood-borne pathogens, such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV. Of the 35 million health workers worldwide, about three million are exposed to such pathogens each year through percutaneous injuries (from syringes and other sharp instruments). These accidents may result in 15,000 HCV, 70,000 HBV and 500 HIV infections. And more than 90% of these infections occur in developing countries, where health workers often lack the knowledge, skills and resources necessary to protect themselves and their clients from becoming infected. Fortunately, health care-related infections, like other occupational hazards, are largely preventable, as shown by the low rates of such infections in countries that have engaged in serious infection prevention efforts-including training of health workers in infection prevention and control (IPC) practices, HBV immunization, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV, improved waste management and other measures. Ensuring that health facilities are safe and healthy places, for clients/patients and health workers, is a high priority for the health industry worldwide. It is particularly relevant in countries that face a significant shortage of health care personnel-the human resources for health-who are essential for delivering high-quality health services and achieving the countries' health goals. These countries cannot afford to continue to lose health workers because of illness, disability or premature death from becoming infected, or from fear of becoming infected. This work addresses the development of capacity for handling hospital waste and general waste management issues. (Adapted from JHPIEGO http://www.jhpiego.org/whatwedo/ipc.htm)
>> Sources, Transport and Impacts of PBDEs In The Russian Arctic This partnership between UM and Centre for Environmental Chemistry in Obninsk, Russia will address the migration and impacts of persistent organic pollutants in the Arctic region.
>> Sustainable Control of Water-Associated Diseases: A Systems Approach In this project, we are coordinating a multidisciplinary group of faculty to: (1) Review the approaches used to evaluate and manage, hopefully in a sustainable manner, water-associated diseases. The review identifies some of the patterns and themes in the field, including unanticipated problems, complexity, and knowledge gaps; (2) Frames some of the issues, defines several key terms, and highlights some new approaches. Ultimately, we hope to provide a rigorous framework and methodology that is broadly applicable to the problem given its complexity and dynamics; and (3) Encourages discussions and interactions among a multidisciplinary group to further research in this area.
>> The Health Status and Risk Factors Associated With Adverse Health Outcomes Among The Durban South Community Durban Metro, South Africa The objectives of this study are to (1) determine the health status of the Durban South residents, with specific reference to respiratory health outcomes and other chronic diseases and to determine the relationship between environmental pollution, these health outcomes and the quality of life within this community, particularly among susceptible populations, and (2) to describe the range of ambient exposures and to assess the potential risks posed by such exposures to the health of the community in the Durban South.
>> VOC and PAH Exposure and Health Effects Among Workers at Petrochemical Processes This project is aimed at characterizing and controlling exposures at petroleum refineries in India, and will develop capacity for advanced methods at the National Institute of Occupational Health in Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad. Currently there are 17 oil refineries producing a total of 127 million tons per year of petroleum products in India. The single private sector facility - and the largest -- is in Jamnagar, Gujarat State, producing 27 million tons per year. All refinieries are increasing production. This project has the objectives of : utilizing state-of-the-art methods to monitor toxic emissions, e.g., thermal desorption and GC-MS analysis; utilizing urinary benzene, 1-hydroxypyrene and other biomarkers of worker exposure; evaluating personal exposure of a subset of refinery workers; surveying health effects of these workers; and suggesting possible interventions and controls to reduce exposures to toxic pollutants.

Energy, Environment, and Sustainability
Energy production and utilization accounts for the bulk of air pollutant emissions, including conventional, toxic, and greenhouse gas emissions. This area of research involves both primary energy sources, transportation, and the built and urban environment.
>> Energy for Sustainability This multidisciplinary program is an initiative of the University of Coimbra (UC), bringing together faculty from Engineering, Economics, Architecture and other programs in the areas of energy and sustainable development. The program aims at transferring knowledge to society through interaction with policy makers, managers, and technicians in positions of responsibility throughout multiple sectors of activity. To keep a strong link with real-world problems, the EfS initiative engages companies and other organizations that identify with its purposes. The University of Coimbra offers advanced educational programs, which include a Masters degree and a Doctoral degree, in association with the MIT Portugal Program. Professor Batterman assists in the development of this program.
>> Health and Environmental Impacts of Alternative (Biofuel) Fuels This project has the objective of understanding the emissions and impacts of trace organic compounds associated with alternative fuels. It includes an experimental program designed to fill existing data gaps regarding toxic emissions, exposures and risks of biofuels, combined with a modeling/analysis program to explore large scale impacts, risks and policies
>> Sustainable Infrastructure Materials and Systems: Integration of Microstructure Tailoring and Life Cycle Analysis of Engineered Cementitious Composites This work considers a new class of materials known as engineered cementitious composites (ECC) that can enhance the sustainability of bridge, road and pipe infrastructure. It explores impacts on sustainability performance of concrete replacement with ECC, material sourcing alternatives (e.g., superquarries vs. smaller mines), and location of infrastructure projects (e.g., urban vs. rural, and U.S. vs. China).