BiomSPHERE

BiomSPHERE is the Biomonitoring component of the San Joaquin Valley Pollution and Health Environmental Research Study (SPHERE)¹. BiomSPHERE is a collaboration with the University of California (Berkeley, Merced, and San Francisco), Little Manila Rising, and the Central California Asthma Collaborative (CCAC) to assess exposures to air pollutants among families living in Fresno and Stockton. These communities are highly impacted by air pollution, as indicated by their CalEnviroScreen rank in the top 5% for fine particulate matter (PM_2.5). These communities are also burdened by economic, social, and health inequities.

BiomSPHERE is collecting urine samples from 90 parent-child pairs participating in SPHERE. A subset of households will provide repeat samples. Up to 270 urine samples will be analyzed for metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and cotinine. Urine samples will also be analyzed for biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation, as indicators of exposures to air pollutants.

BiomSPHERE will examine differences in exposures between individuals, within individuals over time, and across the two communities of Fresno and Stockton. Results from BiomSPHERE will help to better map hyperlocal air pollution exposures; provide comparative data to refine the interpretation of results from the Stockton Air Pollution Exposure Project (SAPEP); and build San Joaquin Valley communities’ capacity as partners in biomonitoring studies.

The air quality data from SPHERE and BiomSPHERE for selected criteria air pollutants (PM_2.5, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide), black carbon, PAHs, and VOCs will help in the interpretation of biomonitoring results. 

¹ SPHERE is funded by the California Air Resources Board (CARB; contract #20RD012) to assess air pollution and noise exposures in Fresno and Stockton.