Studies
Environmental Cardiopulmonary Disease Group
The Environmental Cardiopulmonary Disease Group conducts research on exposure assessment and prevention of asthma within the Laboratory of Respiratory Biology. For more information, please see the links to individual project pages.
- The National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing (NSLAH) ("/Rhythmyx/assembler/render?sys_contentid=49601&sys_revision=1&sys_variantid=639&sys_context=0&sys_authtype=0&sys_siteid=&sys_folderid=" sys_dependentvariantid="639" sys_dependentid="49601" inlinetype="rxhyperlink" rxinlineslot="103" sys_dependentid="49601" sys_siteid="" sys_folderid="") was the first population-based study to provide information about how levels of indoor allergens and endotoxin vary in U.S. homes.
- The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) ("/Rhythmyx/assembler/render?sys_contentid=49600&sys_revision=1&sys_variantid=639&sys_context=0&sys_authtype=0&sys_siteid=&sys_folderid=" sys_dependentvariantid="639" sys_dependentid="49600" inlinetype="rxhyperlink" rxinlineslot="103" sys_dependentid="49600" sys_siteid="" sys_folderid="") was designed to improve knowledge on complex relationships between allergen and endotoxin exposures, allergic sensitization, and allergic diseases.
- Allergen Mitigation Strategies ("/Rhythmyx/assembler/render?sys_contentid=49599&sys_revision=1&sys_variantid=639&sys_context=0&sys_authtype=0&sys_siteid=&sys_folderid=" sys_dependentvariantid="639" sys_dependentid="49599" inlinetype="rxhyperlink" rxinlineslot="103" sys_dependentid="49599" sys_siteid="" sys_folderid="") involved studies to test the feasibility and effectiveness of various interventions to reduce indoor allergen levels in inner-city homes.
The prevalence of allergic diseases has increased worldwide over the past several decades. The development and exacerbation of allergic disease is influenced by the interplay between environmental factors and genetic susceptibility. Given the rapid increase in allergy and asthma prevalence over a relatively short period of time, it is likely that environmental exposures contribute strongly to the pathogenesis of these complex disorders. Although the role of environmental exposures in allergic diseases such as asthma is not completely understood, indoor exposures, particularly indoor allergens, are among the most important risk factors. Zeldin's research has focused on characterization of factors that influence the risk of developing and exacerbating allergic diseases. His group has not only been involved with designing and analyzing large observational (cross-sectional) studies, but has also developed and implemented interventional studies that seek to mitigate environmental exposures and thus reduce asthma/allergy prevalence and morbidity (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Specific aims of the Environmental Cardiopulmonary Disease Group
