Cycling, Air Pollution and Health

Endothelial Dysfunction Clinical Trial

— CAPaH  

Official title:

Cycling, Air Pollution and Health

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT01708356
• Other study ID #: H10-00902
• Secondary ID: H1008-111481/001
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• First received: October 9, 2012
• Last updated: October 15, 2012
• Start date: June 2010
• Est. completion date: November 2011

Study information

• Verified date: October 2012
• Source: University of British Columbia
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: Canada: Health Canada
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

Introduction: Cycling is currently promoted at the municipal, provincial and national level as a form of active transportation that increases physical activity while at the same time reducing traffic congestion, traffic-related air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. While at a population level the health benefits of exercise via cycling are estimated to substantially exceed any health impacts related to air pollution exposure and injuries from traffic accidents , cyclists are known to experience elevated exposures to traffic-related air pollutants. Combined with exposure to elevated concentrations of air pollutants, cyclists also are subject to substantially increased inhaled doses due to their level of exertion and consequently increased inhalation rate. Therefore, given that cyclists experience exposures to relatively high concentrations of traffic-related air pollutants and that their inhalation of these pollutants is increased, it is important to evaluate the potential health impacts of this scenario. Research on the potential health impacts related to exercise (cycling) and urban air pollution exposure can help inform public communication strategies related to air quality and its health impacts. In addition, as our previous work suggests substantial variability in air pollution exposures to cyclists that is related to the route type and the levels of traffic along cycling routes, there is potential for transportation planners to promote increased cycling by enhancing infrastructure while at the same time developing routes that also minimize exposure to air pollution. The cyclist population is also interested in information regarding the air pollution exposures and potential health impacts related to cycling.

The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between traffic-related air pollution exposure, and respiratory and cardiovascular health impacts in commuting cyclists. Specifically, the investigators propose to:

1. determine commuting cyclists' exposure to traffic-related air pollutants (PM 2.5, PM10, ultrafine particulate, black carbon) while cycling along two different bicycle routes in the city of Vancouver;

2. estimate the pollutant dose received by each cyclist, and relate this to the health effects observed; and

3. determine if there is a change in lung function, endothelial function, and C-reactive protein level related to the level of air pollution exposure and dose

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 38
• Est. completion date: November 2011
• Est. primary completion date: November 2011
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: Both
• Age group: 19 Years to 39 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 19- 39

• male or female

• able to bicycle comfortably on city streets for 1 hour

Exclusion Criteria:

• Smokers of any substance (smoking more than 1x every 2 weeks)

• Must be of height to safely ride a test bike (<5'2", >6'5" )

• Diagnosed asthma or active allergy (hav fever) symptoms

• Irregular menstrual cycle, pregnant, breastfeeding, non-monocyclic contraceptive medication or device

• Taking medication for heart or lung condition

• Answers yes to any questions on physical activity readiness questionnaire (PAR-Q)

• requires pain medication daily

• visual or hearing impairment that prevents safe cycling on streets with motor vehicles

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Prevention

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena
• Endothelial Dysfunction
• Endothelial Function

Intervention

Behavioral:
• Cycling on a residential route

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Canada	Air Pollution Exposure Lab, Vancouver General Hospital through the School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia	Vancouver	British Columbia

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of British Columbia

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Canada, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Other	Change in blood levels of C-reactive protein (a marker of systemic inflammation)		Baseline (1 hour pre-exposure) and 1 hour post- exposure (plus or minus 30 minutes) to a bicycle ride in an urban environment outdoors	No
Other	Change in blood levels of Interleukin-6 (a marker of systemic inflammation)		Baseline (1 hour pre-exposure) and 1 hour post- exposure (plus or minus 30 minutes) to a bicycle ride in an urban environment outdoors	No
Other	Change in blood levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)(a marker of oxidative stress)		Baseline (1 hour pre-exposure) and 1 hour post- exposure (plus or minus 30 minutes) to a bicycle ride in an urban environment outdoors	No
Primary	Change in endothelial function, as measured by peripheral arterial tonometry (EndoPAT) score of reactive hyperemia index (RHI)		Baseline (1 hour pre-expousre) and 1 hour post- exposure (plus or minus 30 minutes) to a bicycle ride in an urban environment outdoors	No
Secondary	Change in lung function (using spirometry to assess lung function values)		Baseline (1 hour pre-exposure) and 1 hour post- exposure (plus or minus 30 minutes) to a bicycle ride in an urban environment outdoors	No