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Background Exposure to black carbon indoors may be associated with blood pressure; however, evidence is limited to vulnerable subpopulations and highly exposed individuals. Our objective was to explore the relationship between indoor black carbon at various exposure windows on resting blood pressure in a general population sample. Methods Black carbon was measured in the home of 76 individuals aged 10‐71 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Exposure was measured every 1 minute for up to 120 hours using an AE51 microaethalometer. Systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were measured at the conclusion of exposure monitoring. Results In adjusted models, at all exposure windows, increasing black carbon was associated with increased systolic blood pressure. The period 0‐72 hours prior to blood pressure measurement showed the strongest effect; a 1 μg/m3 increase in black carbon was associated with a 7.55 mm Hg (P = .02) increase in systolic blood pressure. The relationship was stronger in participants reporting doctor‐diagnosed hypertension (β = 6.47 vs β = 3.27). Black carbon was not associated with diastolic blood pressure. Conclusion Increasing black carbon concentration indoors is positively associated with increasing systolic blood pressure with the most relevant exposure window being 0‐72 hours prior to blood pressure measurement. Individuals with hypertension may be a more susceptible population.

Background: There is growing concern about children’s chronic low-level pesticide exposure and its impact on health. Green building practices (e.g. reducing leakage of the thermal and pressure barrier that surrounds the structure, integrated pest management, improved ventilation) have the potential to reduce pesticide exposure. However, the potential impact of living in green housing on children’s pesticide exposure is unknown. Objective: To address this question, a longitudinal study of pyrethroid metabolites (3-phenoxybenzoic acid [3-PBA], 4-fluoro-3-phenoxybenzoic acid [4-F-3-PBA], trans- 3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid [ trans- DCCA]) in first morning void urine, collected from 68 children from New Orleans, Louisiana residing in green and non-green housing was conducted. Methods: Children were followed for one year with three repeated measures of pesticide exposure. Generalized Estimating Equations examined associations between housing type (green v non-green) and urinary pyrethroid metabolite concentrations adjusting for demographic and household factors over the year. Results: Ninety-five percent of samples had detectable concentrations of 3-PBA (limit of detection [LOD]: 0.1 μg/L); 8% of 4-F-3-PBA (LOD: 0.1 μg/L), and 12% of trans- DCCA (LOD: 0.6 μg/L). In adjusted models, green housing was not associated with statistically significant differences in children’s 3-PBA urinary concentrations compared to non-green housing. Significance: In this study, green building practices had no impact on children’s pyrethroid urinary concentrations. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these findings.

BackgroundMobile (MHCs), Community (CHCs), and School-based health clinics (SBHCs) are understudied alternative sources of health care delivery used to provide more accessible primary care to disenfranchised populations. However, providing access does not guarantee utilization. This study explored the utilization of these alternative sources of health care and assessed factors associated with residential segregation that may influence their utilization.MethodsA cross-sectional study design assessed the associations between travel distance, perceived quality of care, satisfaction-adjusted distance (SAD) and patient utilization of alternative health care clinics. Adults (n = 165), child caregivers (n = 124), and adult caregivers (n = 7) residing in New Orleans, Louisiana between 2014 and 2015 were conveniently sampled. Data were obtained via face-to face interviews using standardized questionnaires and geospatial data geocoded using GIS mapping tools. Multivariate regression models were used to predict alternative care utilization.ResultsOverall 49.4% of respondents reported ever using a MCH, CHC, or SBHC. Travel distance was not significantly associated with using either MCH, CHC, or SBHC (OR = 0.91, 0.74–1.11 p > .05). Controlling for covariates, higher perceived quality of care (OR = 1.02, 1.01–1.04 p < .01) and lower SAD (OR = 0.81, 0.73–0.91 p < .01) were significantly associated with utilization.ConclusionsProvision of primary care via alternative health clinics may overcome some barriers to care but have yet to be fully integrated as regular sources of care. Perceived quality and mixed-methods measures are useful indicators of access to care. Future health delivery research is needed to understand the multiple mechanisms by which residential segregation influences health-seeking behavior.