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Integrating data from multiple time-location measurement methods for use in exposure assessment: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and Air Pollution (MESA Air)

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 27, pages 569–574 (2017)Cite this article

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A Correction to this article was published on 25 February 2019

Abstract

Tools to assess time-location patterns related to environmental exposures have expanded from reliance on time-location diaries (TLDs) and questionnaires to use of geospatial location devices such as data-logging Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment. The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and Air Pollution obtained typical time-location patterns via questionnaire for 6424 adults in six US cities. At a later time (mean 4.6 years after questionnaire), a subset (n=128) participated in high-resolution data collection for specific 2-week periods resulting in concurrent GPS and detailed TLD data, which were aggregated to estimate time spent in various microenvironments. During these 2-week periods, participants were observed to spend the most time at home indoors (mean of 78%) and a small proportion of time in-vehicle (mean of 4%). Similar overall patterns were reported by these participants on the prior questionnaire (mean home indoors: 75%; mean in-vehicle: 4%). However, individual micro-environmental time estimates measured over specific 2-week periods were not highly correlated with an individual’s questionnaire report of typical behavior (Spearman’s ρ of 0.43 for home indoors and 0.39 for in-vehicle). Although questionnaire data about typical time-location patterns can inform interpretation of long-term epidemiological analyses and risk assessment, they may not reliably represent an individual’s short-term experience.

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Acknowledgements

This publication was developed under U.S. EPA STAR research assistance agreement, No. RD831697 (MESA Air) and U.S. EPA grant RD-83479601-0 (CCAR). It has not been formally reviewed by the EPA. The views expressed in this document are solely those of the authors and the EPA does not endorse any products or commercial services mentioned in this publication.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA

    Marnie F Hazlehurst, Elizabeth W Spalt, Sverre Vedal & Joel D Kaufman

  2. Department of Community and Environmental Health, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, USA

    Cynthia L Curl

  3. Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland

    Mark E Davey

  4. Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA

    Gregory L Burke

  5. Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA

    Joel D Kaufman

  6. Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA

    Joel D Kaufman

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  1. Marnie F Hazlehurst
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Correspondence to Joel D Kaufman.

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Supplementary Information accompanies the paper on the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology website .

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Hazlehurst, M., Spalt, E., Curl, C. et al. Integrating data from multiple time-location measurement methods for use in exposure assessment: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and Air Pollution (MESA Air). J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 27, 569–574 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2016.84

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2016.84

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