Despite evidence of the toxicological effects of nano- and ultra-fine particles, there have been no published studies examining the relationship between validly measured environmental exposure to these particles and adverse health effects in human subjects, particularly children.

Project Aim: The project seeks to determine the effect of the exposure to airborne nano and ultrafine (UF) particles emitted from motor vehicles on the health of children in schools.

ARC Support: This project is supported by the Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Grant LP0990134.

Update of Current Activities

• The study design for both the air quality and clinical parts of the study (which includes statistics for sample size calculations and a questionnaire) were developed by the UPTECH team and was reviewed by the International Scientific Advisory Committee in 2010.
• QUT Ethical clearance was obtained for this study (Approval Number: 1000000703) in 2010. Approvals were obtained from Department of Education and Training (DET) and University of Sydney Ethics Committee.
• All instruments required for air quality measurements were obtained, and quality control manuals and procedures for the air quality instrumentation were tested and documented in 2010.
• A database was developed in 2010, to manage the body of data collected during this project, including both air quality and clinical data.
• The data collection part of the UPTECH project concluded in August 2012. UPTECH schedule: 3 schools participated in the UPTECH campaign from October to December 2010, 14 schools in 2011 and 8 schools from March to August 2012.
• A review paper on the methodologies for exposure assessment has already been published: Mejía, J., Low Choy, S., Mengersen, K. and Morawska, L. Methodology for assessing exposure and impacts of air pollutants in school children: data collection, analysis and health effects - a literature review. Atmospheric Environment, 45: 813-823, 2011.
• The first drafts of the scientific peer-reviewed journal papers resulting from this project are being prepared and will be submitted for publication in 2012.
• At the completion of the experimental part of the project, the association between exposure to ultrafine particles and respiratory health in primary school children will be assessed and characterised. The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals.