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

1
Using the Environmental Chamber to Understand the
Effects of Contaminants in the Real World

• Marcy Steele
• Margy Callaghan

2
Outline

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

3
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

4
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 SRIs work, can be understood and
  used in order to heighten public awareness and
  improve public policy.

5
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

6
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

7
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

8
Responses/Impacts

• Throughout the 100-minute session, the
  participants 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

9

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
10
Graphing The Results
All of the data is accumulated and then evaluated
in order to draw comparisons and conclusions
amongst the participants.
11
Responses/Impacts

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

12
Sensory Impacts
Odor Strength Nasal Irritation Eye
Irritation Annoyance Throat Irritation Difficulty
Breathing Haze
Chest Tightness Headache Tiredness Throat
Dryness Fatigue
13
Cognitive Test
14
Psychological State/Mood
15
This chart illustrates the time at which the
tests are administered throughout the 100 minute
session. It reflects both physiological and
psychological data.
16
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,

17
Thanks

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