Linkage of the US National Health Interview Survey to air monitoring data: An evaluation of different strategies

Abstract

The goal of this study is to describe linkages between the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) air monitoring data, specifically how the linkage method affects characteristics and exposure estimates of study samples and estimated associations between exposure and health. In the USA, nationally representative health data are collected in the NHIS and annual air quality data are collected by the EPA. The linkage of these data for research is not straightforward and the choices made may introduce bias into results. The 2000-2003 NHIS and air quality data for six air pollutants were linked by residential block group and monitor location, which differ by pollutants. For each pollutant, three annual exposure variables were assigned to respondents: (1) average of all monitors in the county, (2) of monitors within a 5-mile radius of the distance between block group and monitor, and (3) within a 20-mile radius. Exposure estimates, study sample characteristics, and association between fine particle exposure and respondent-reported health status were compared for different geographic linkage methods. The results showed that study sample characteristics varied by geographic linkage method and pollutant linked. Generally, the fewer the NHIS respondents linked, the higher is the pollution exposure and lower is the percentage of non-Hispanic whites. After adjustment for sociodemographic and geographic factors, associations between fine particles and health status were generally comparable across study samples. Because exposure information is not available for all potential participants in an epidemiological study, selection effects should be considered when drawing inferences about air quality-health associations. With the current monitoring data system, the study sample is substantially reduced when linkage to multiple pollutants is performed. r

Nitrogen dioxide and allergic sensitization in the 2005–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

“…We chose to base our estimate of monitored pollutant levels on monitors within 20 miles (32.2 km), based on the work of Parker 47 who linked air pollution estimates for NHIS participants based on an average of 1) all monitors within the county, 2) monitors within a 5 mile radius of the participant census block group, and 3) monitors within 20 miles (32.2 km) of the participant census block group. Parker 47 suggested that these methods gave similar association results but have tradeoffs.…”

“…Parker 47 suggested that these methods gave similar association results but have tradeoffs. Linking air pollution estimates to national survey data sets with finer spatial resolution reduces measurement error but also reduces sample size.…”

Effects of inhalable particulate matter on blood coagulation

“…PM 10 and PM 1 were measured during the days between time 1 and time 2, using a GRIMM 1100 light‐scattering dust analyzer (Grimm Technologies, Douglasville, GA, USA). The fractions considered for this study were PM 1 and coarse particles, defined as the difference between PM 10 and PM 1 [25]. During the three working days between time 1 and time 2, each of the study subjects recorded the time spent in each of the work areas in a personal log.…”

Air Pollution and Childhood Respiratory Allergies in the United States

“…Ideally, more precise exposure measures would be available for each child, either from personal monitoring or finer spatial scales, which would lead to more precise effect estimates. With this survey, there is a substantial trade-off between criteria for proximity of monitors and the sample size and composition of the available data (Parker et al 2008a, 2008b). In this case, the results using the substantially smaller samples within 5 miles of a pollution monitor were remarkably similar to the primary results presented.…”