Cycling, Air Pollution and Health (CAPaH)

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

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Endothelial Dysfunction; Endothelial Function; Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Cycling on a residential route

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 38
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Canada
  • British Columbia
    • Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6T 1Z3
      • Air Pollution Exposure Lab, Vancouver General Hospital through the School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 19 years to 39 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

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 Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Normal cycling; Cycling on a residential and downtown route (crossover design)	Behavioral: Cycling on a residential route

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
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

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
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

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
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
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
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

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of British Columbia
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Michael Brauer, ScD, The University of British Columbia

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Cole CA, Carlsten C, Koehle M, Brauer M. Particulate matter exposure and health impacts of urban cyclists: a randomized crossover study. Environ Health. 2018 Nov 14;17(1):78. doi: 10.1186/s12940-018-0424-8.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: June 1, 2010
• Primary Completion (Actual): November 1, 2011
• Study Completion (Actual): November 1, 2011

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 9, 2012
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 15, 2012
• First Posted (Estimate): October 16, 2012

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): October 16, 2012
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 15, 2012
• Last Verified: October 1, 2012

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Inflammation; Exercise; Air Pollution; Oxidative Stress; Respiratory Rate; Plethysmography; Particulate Matter
• Other Study ID Numbers: H10-00902; H1008-111481/001/XSB (Other Identifier: UBC CREB)