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The Mission of the EPA
is protection of human health and safeguarding the natural
environment upon which life depends. Within EPA, the Office
of Research and Development provides the high quality
science and technical support necessary for informed
environmental decision-making. Conducting the
research needed to understand the human response to
pollution is the mission of the Human Studies
Division, which is located in the Human Studies
Facility. This facility is distinguished by unique,
state-of-the-art exposure systems designed for
studying the health effects of airborne pollutants.
^^ The chambers can deliver most gaseous
pollutants at precise concentrations and
atmospheric conditions. Instrumentation
enables researchers to measure pollutant
induced changes in lung function and heart
rate variability. In addition to gaseous
pollutants, exposures to particles can be
studied using an ambient air concentrator.
The Human Studies Facility is primarily
intended for research to support EPA
standards and regulations, but scientists not
affiliated with EPA may use these chambers
to conduct research that is in the public
interest. All research conducted using these
facilities is in accord with the Common Rule for
Subject Protection.
The EPA Human Studies Facility, located on the
campus of the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill, contains unique research equipment for
investigating the potential health effects of air
pollutants on humans. These facilities are available
to non-EPA scientists conducting research that
involves exposing human volunteers to airborne
materials.
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Rochester Style Exposure Chambers
Five of the chambers are Rochester style, employing well-mixed and turbulent air. Their construction features
stainless steel surfaces throughout, including wall and door panels and inlet ducts. Wall and door panels are built
with foam-in-place polyurethane insulation (R-34) and are available in large (-295 square feet, with restrooms)
and small (-56 square feet) configurations.
Large Chamber Specifications
Air flow: 2,000 to 4,000 cfm (+/- 0.5%),
20 to 40 air changes per hour
Temperature: 45 to 90° F (+/- 2° F)
Relative humidity: 25 to 75% (+/- 5%)
Small Chamber Specifications
Air flow: 245 to 680 cfm (+/- 0.5%),
14 to 40 air changes per hour
Temperature: 62 to 82°F (+1-2° F)
Relative humidity: 40 to 60% (+1-5%)
Existing pollutant delivery capabilities include ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and volatile organic
compounds (VOCs). A wide range of other gaseous pollutants can be used, singularly or in combination, so long
as they can be controlled and measured with commercially available equipment and are compatible with the
stainless steel surfaces of the chambers. Each chamber can be equipped with exercise treadmills, spirometers for
measuring basic lung function, minute ventilation systems for determining breathing patterns and other
respiratory parameters, and telemetry for recording the electrocardiogram.
Audiometric Isolation Rooms
Four chambers are audiometric isolation rooms used to investigate the effects of gaseous pollutants on activities
requiring high levels of mental concentration. These chambers are constructed as two pairs; each pair contains a
clean air control room and an exposure room. These chambers employ 100% makeup air and are approximately
60 square feet.
Existing pollutant delivery capability includes carbon monoxide and VOCs, but most other gaseous pollutants
can be delivered if measurement and delivery equipment are commercially available and the substance is
compatible with construction materials.
Audiometric Isolation Room
Specifications
Air flow: 120 to 240 cfm (+/- 1.0%),
20 to 40 air changes per hour
Temperature: 60to 90°F, +/- 2°F
Relative humidity: 30 to 75%, +/- 5%
Pollutant concentration: within 5% of set
point
Noise Levels: 63HZ, 52db; 125HZ, 36db;
1000HZ, 27db; 4000HZ, 25db; 8000HZ,
31db
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Concentrated Air Particle System
Developed to support EPA's particulate matter research program,
the aerosol concentrator exposure system consists of a high-
volume, size-selective inlet, a three-stage virtual impactor, a
diluter-conditioner, a 4'x8' exposure chamber, and inlet and
outlet exposure monitoring equipment. During operation,
outside air is brought in through a size-selective inlet where
particles between 0.1 and 2.5 microns are inertially separated,
producing a concentrated airstream that is subsequently diluted
with ultra-clean, conditioned air and delivered to the human
exposure chamber. Because the system is vacuum operated, the
chamber functions at a static pressure of approximately negative
10 inches of water. The airstream can be monitored for particle
mass and size, and samples can be collected for later analysis.
The Concentrated Air Particle System
(CAPS) concentrates outside ambient
air particles by a factor of six to eight.
Particles range in size from 0.1 to 2.5
microns. Ozone and nitrogen dioxide
are available as additives.
In Vitro Chamber Exposure Systems
To complement the capabilities offered by the in vivo systems, four in vitro exposure systems are available. Each
system consists of small, paired exposure chambers housed in incubators whose temperature, humidity and
carbon dioxide levels can be controlled. One chamber of each pair functions as a cell culture exposure chamber
for the same pollutants used in the clinical chambers; the other serves as a clean air control. Pollution
generation and chamber control systems are computer controlled and monitored using real-time analyzers.
Chamber Supply Air
For all chambers, ultra-clean air is produced by three custom-
designed air cleaning units, each supplying 5500 cfm.
Incoming ambient air is processed by
charcoal filtration to remove hydrogen sulfide, VOCs, and
ozone to 50 ppb or less,
desiccant dehumidification to a dewpoint of -18° F,
chemisorbent filtration to remove oxides of sulfur and
nitrogen to 50 ppb or less, and
catalytic conversion to 450° F to remove hydrocarbons to
5 ppb or less.
Multiple particle filters are employed, including final HEPA
filtering to remove particles 0.3 microns and larger.
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Using EPA's Human Studies Facility
To use the facilities, non-EPA scientists must complete an Outside User Agreement with EPA. The research must
be developed to address the needs of the outside user rather than those of EPA. Reimbursement is required for all
facilities used and services provided. Proposed studies must be in the public interest, have a current Institutional
Review Board (IRB) approval, be in accord with the Common Rule, and are subject to Agency review.
Other Resources
EPA's Human Studies Facility contains participant training rooms and medical
telemetric electrocardiographic monitoring equipment. In addition to the full
complement of exercise and lung function measurement equipment found in
the exposure chambers, the training rooms contain body plethysmographs for
measuring changes in lung volume, airway resistance, and carbon monoxide
(CO) diffusing capacity. The telemetric monitoring equipment allows
participants to be monitored continuously by medical and research technicians
while they are in the facility.
Participant recruitment is available, as is a facility for conducting clinical
procedures. Medical support for clinical procedures is available through
contract mechanisms. Chamber operation and maintenance are provided
through an on-site contractor.
HUMANS T U D I E S FACIL
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United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
PRESORTED STANDARD
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
EPA PERMIT NO. G-35
Research and
Development
(MD-58A)
Research Triangle Park,
NC 27711
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use
$300
EPA/600/F-03/002
November 2003
Durham
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NO BUM
Contact:
Scientists interested in using the facility
should contact:
Stephen Jackson,
Program Manager, at (919) 966-6200
or via e-mail atjackson.steve@epa.gov.
Recycled/Recyclable
Printed with vegetable-based ink on
paper that contains a minimum of
50% post-consumer fiber content
processed chlorine free
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