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. 2017 Nov;27(6):569-574. doi: 10.1038/jes.2016.84. Epub 2017 Jan 25.

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.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Air Pollution / statistics & numerical data*
  • Atherosclerosis / epidemiology*
  • Cities / statistics & numerical data
  • Environmental Exposure / analysis*
  • Environmental Exposure / statistics & numerical data*
  • Environmental Monitoring / instrumentation
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods*
  • Environmental Monitoring / statistics & numerical data*
  • Ethnicity / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors
  • United States