The goal of the Fresno Asthmatic Children’s Environment Study (FACES) is to examine the health effect of air pollution On children with asthma. The study addresses several research exacerbations, and may help identify asthmatic children who are more sensitive to regional and season pollutants. Second, it will examine whether these short-term asthma exacerbations influence the progression of childhood asthma over the course of several years. Third, it will examine whether other environmental factors such as tobacco smoke, allergens, or housing characteristics influence children’s response to air pollution.

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) funds the study. The two Principal investigators, Drs. Ira Tager and Katharine Hammond, are Professors at the School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley. The full research team includes investigators from numerous academic and health care institutions, and a research staff.

Children and their families will be recruited from local health care organizations and through community advertisements. A standardized screening interview will be conducted to determine if the child meets the eligibility criteria. Only children who have a physician diagnosis of asthma and whose asthma is currently active will be included. The population will be restricted to children aged 6-10 years old who live within the geographic region for which detailed air pollution monitoring data are available.

The study will consist of a series of visits over the course of five years. An in-person baseline interview will be conducted at the research site and will include skin testing, pulmonary function testing and extensive questions about the child’s health and home environment. Every three months, participants will complete a telephone interview about recent health care utilization. Every six months, children will return to the research center for a shortened version of the baseline interview. Research staff will make a series of visits to the child’s home to collect indoor air and dust samples. Children will be given diaries and portable spirometers to be used for two-week panels at various times in the study. A subset of families will be asked to allow more intensive monitoring of the home environment. For several days during the study, the children will be asked to wear backpacks with personal air monitoring services and to complete more extensive time-activity diaries.

The results from this study will be used to assist the California Air Resources Board and other regulatory agencies to develop appropriate air pollution regulations. The findings may also help health care providers identify children who are at greatest risk for adverse effects of air pollution and guide decision about environmental and medical interventions.

Questions about FACES can be addressed to Kathy Butler, Field Coordinator, FACES, at 559/294-6700