Using the Environmental Chamber to Understand the Effects of Contaminants in the “Real World”

Using the Environmental Chamber to Understand the Effects of Contaminants in the “Real World” Marcy Steele Margy Callaghan

Outline • What is SRI? • Questions the Institute Addresses • Anosmic vs. Normals • The Chamber • Responses/Impacts • Physiological and Psychological Testing

Sensory Research Institute One line of work of the Sensory Research Institute deals with research that examines the effects of brief exposure to environmental contaminants. Researchers are hoping to characterize Environmental Tobacco Smoke in terms of impacts, to understand its effects relative to other stimuli and to learn the biology behind these effects

Questions the Institute Addresses • “Disconnect” between the laboratory and “real-world” situations • Variation among individuals • Short term effects of second hand smoke (also called ETS) Relationships between exposures and effects, derived from SRI’s work, can be understood and used in order to heighten public awareness and improve public policy.

Anosmics vs. Normals Anosmia: A complete loss of smell. • Studying and comparing anosmics with normal participants enables scientist to take the first primitive step in understanding biological processes that drive responses to an environmental stimulus such as tobacco smoke. • By removing one system, we are able to better understand the role that system plays in the observed effects

Features of the Chamber • Utilizes pure air • Stainless steel construction • Ability for two subjects to be tested at once • Computerized control system • Multiple reactions recorded • Air characteristics and chemical concentrations measured continuously throughout testing • Strong emphasis on safety • In house design and construction

Dynamics of the Chamber The environmental chamber is made of stainless steel and is designed to allow for atmospheric control in terms of • Temperature • Humidity • Chemical Content

Responses/Impacts Throughout the 100-minute session, the participant’s psychological and physiological responses are measured as they are exposed to controlled levels of environmental chemicals. • Physiological • Blood Pressure • Heart Rate • Blink Rate • Breathing Pattern

Physiological Responses Blood Pressure BP is measured two times throughout the session using a finger cuff. It takes a reading pre-stimulus and post-stimulus Blink Rate Blink rate is measured using this device. When eye irritation is high there are reliable increases in blink rate Breathing Patterns Breathing parameters are measured throughout the session. Air volume, rate measurements, duration and commencement of breath are all measured

Graphing The Results All of the data is accumulated and then evaluated in order to draw comparisons and conclusions amongst the participants.

Responses/Impacts Psychological • Cognitive • Psychological state or mood • Sensory • (irritation, headache, nausea)

Sensory Impacts Odor Strength Nasal Irritation Eye Irritation Annoyance Throat Irritation Difficulty Breathing Haze Chest Tightness Headache Tiredness Throat Dryness Fatigue

Cognitive Test

Psychological State/Mood

This chartillustrates the time at which the tests are administered throughout the 100 minute session. It reflects both physiological and psychological data.

Thanks Jim Walker Dianne Walker Nick Walker Jessica Isabelle A special thanks for all your help: Pat Dixon, Gina LaFrazza, Carlos Villa, Stacy Vanderlaan, Sarah Mullins,

Thanks With Gratitude to NSF and the NHMFL for all the support and funding for the RET Program.

Using the Environmental Chamber to Understand the Effects of Contaminants in the “Real World”