science in ACTION
INNOVATIVE RESEARCH FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
&EPA
www. e pa. gov/resea rc h
CLEAN AIR RESEARCH CENTERS
State University is exploring the
connections between air pollution
and adverse effects on metabolism
including obesity. Exposure to air
pollution is linked to increased risk
of heart attacks and strokes and
factors such as elevated blood
pressure and increased insulin
sensitivity. This research focuses on
the effects of fine particulate matter
and ozone on the cardiometabolic
health of vulnerable populations.
University of Washington Center
for Clean Air Research (CCAR)
is a collaboration between four
institutions examining how complex
multi-pollutant mixtures near
roadways affect cardiovascular and
immune system health. The research
integrates exposure, epidemio-
logical, toxicological. clinical and
statistical sciences to study
cardiovascular and immunologic
hazards of roadway emissions
pollution in combination with social
determinants and other factors such
as stress.
Background
The U.S. Enviromnental Protection
Agency (EPA) is at the forefront of
advancing air quality science. People
are exposed to multiple air
pollutants, yet many conclusions
about air pollution risks are based on
research that considers only one
pollutant at a time.
EPA is addressing this issue by
funding studies of the health effects
of mixtures of multiple air pollutants
in combination with other factors
that better represent real-world
exposures.
To advance research in this area,
EPA provided nearly $32 million
between 2011 and 2016 to four
university-based Clean Air Research
Centers (CLARCs) located across
the United States. These centers
feature collaborations among
investigators from multiple
institutions to understand complex
air quality and health issues with an
integrated and multidisciplinary
approach that would not be possible
through individual grants to single
investigators.
This research is providing important
information that can potentially be
used to protect public health.
Research Focus
Each center received approximately
$8 million over the five-year grant
period to study a range of exposures
to various air pollution sources and
mixtures, as well as their associated
health effects.
The four CLARCs are advancing our
understanding of the human health
risks of exposures to particulate
matter (PM), ozone, and other air
pollutants and addressing how
individual variability and
susceptibility, social conditions, and
other factors affect health outcomes.
While each CLARC has its own
research emphasis, the centers are
also working together to conduct
cross-center collaborative research.
Southeastern Center for Air
Pollution and Epidemiology
(SCAPE) is a collaboration between
Emory University and the Georgia
Institute of Technology. This center
combines novel measurement
techniques with air pollution models
to provide an assessment of the
health risks of air pollution mixtures.
Research is considering how social
factors such as commuting, traffic,
living and work locations, in
combination with exposure to
mixtures of air pollutants, can
impact health.
Great Lakes Air Center for
Integrative Environmental
Research (GLACIER) at Michigan
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development

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Harvard University Clean Air
Research Center (CARC) is
investigating the effects of short-
and long-term exposures to
individual pollutants, pollution
sources, and multi-pollutant
mixtures across life stages on the
brain cardiovascular system,
inflammation, birth weight/growth
and cardiovascular disease. The
research is expected to identify
interactions between air pollutant
exposure and social factors such as
socioeconomic disparities that may
contribute to susceptibility to
adverse health impacts such as
cognitive impairment and
inflammation.
Learn more about the CLARCs
at:
htti)s://www.ei)a.gov/air-
research/clean-air-research-
center-grants
Learn more about EPA Research
Grants at:
www.eDa.gov/research-grants
CONTACT:
Sherri Hunt, Ph.D.
EPA Office of Research and
Development
202-564-4486
hunt, sherri V7,cpa. gov
June 2016
2
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development

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