Mixed methods assessment of personal heat exposure, sleep, physical activity, and heat adaptation strategies among urban residents in the Boston area, MA.

The growing frequency, intensity, and duration of extreme heat events necessitates interventions to reduce heat exposures. Local opportunities for heat adaptation may be optimally identified through collection of both quantitative exposure metrics and qualitative data on perceptions of heat. In this study, we used mixed methods to characterize heat exposure among urban residents in the area of Boston, Massachusetts, US, in summer 2020. Repeated interviews of N = 24 study participants ascertained heat vulnerability and adaptation strategies. Participants also used low-cost sensors to collect temperature, location, sleep, and physical activity data. We saw significant differences across temperature metrics: median personal temperature exposures were 3.9 °C higher than median ambient weather station temperatures. Existing air conditioning (AC) units did not adequately control indoor temperatures to desired thermostat levels: even with AC use, indoor maximum temperatures increased by 0.24 °C per °C of maximum outdoor temperature. Sleep duration was not associated with indoor or outdoor temperature. On warmer days, we observed a range of changes in time-at-home, expected given our small study size. Interview results further indicated opportunities for heat adaptation interventions including AC upgrades, hydration education campaigns, and amelioration of energy costs during high heat periods. Our mixed methods design informs heat adaptation interventions tailored to the challenges faced by residents in the study area. The strength of our community-academic partnership was a large part of the success of the mixed methods approach.

Portable Air Cleaner Usage and Particulate Matter Exposure Reduction in an Environmental Justice Community: A Pilot Study.

Particulate matter (PM) exposure is associated with adverse health outcomes, including respiratory illness. A large fraction of exposure to airborne contaminants occurs in the home. This study, conducted over 5 months in a community with high asthma rates (Chelsea, MA, USA), investigated the use of portable air cleaners (PACs) to reduce indoor PM. Seven asthma-affected households participated, receiving a PAC (Austin Air Health Mate HEPA filter), a QuantAQ sensor to measure PM1, PM2.5, PM10 (µg/m3), and a HOBO plug-load data logger to track PAC usage. Results describe hourly and daily PM concentrations and PAC usage for each household. Hourly average PM concentrations decreased when PACs were turned on (vs. when they were turned off) across households during the study period: PM1 decreased by 0.46 µg/m3, PM2.5 decreased by 0.69 µg/m3, and PM10 decreased by 3.22 µg/m3. PAC usage varied for each household, including constant usage in one household and only usage at certain times of day in others. Higher filtration settings led to lower PM, with significant reductions in some, but not all, homes. Our findings highlight some difficulties in implementing household PAC interventions, yet also provide evidence to support household-level interventions to reduce PM and other indoor sources of air pollution. We also highlight academic-community partnerships as contributing to evidence-based solutions.

A protocol for isolating and imaging large extracellular vesicles or midbody remnants from mammalian cell culture.

Traditionally, midbody remnants (MBRs) are isolated from cell culture medium using ultracentrifugation, which is expensive and time consuming. Here, we present a protocol for isolating MBRs or large extracellular vesicles (EVs) from mammalian cell culture using either 1.5% polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG6000) or PEG5000-coated gold nanoparticles. We describe steps for growing cells, collecting media, and precipitating MBRs and EVs from cell culture medium. We then detail characterization of MBRs through immunofluorescent antibody staining and immunofluorescent imaging.

Facilitators and Barriers for Keeping Cool in an Urban Heat Island: Perspectives from Residents of an Environmental Justice Community.

Background: Extreme heat is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality during summer months in the United States. Risk of heat exposure and associated health outcomes are disproportionately experienced by people with lower incomes, people of color, and/or immigrant populations. Methods: As qualitative research on the experiences of residents in heat islands is limited, this community-based study examined barriers and coping strategies for keeping cool among residents of Chelsea and East Boston, Massachusetts-environmental justice (EJ) areas that experience the urban heat island effect-through semistructured interviews and qualitative content analysis. Results: Results indicate that all participants (n = 12) had air conditioning, but high energy bills contributed to low use. Eight participants were self-described heat-sensitive, with five experiencing poor health in heat. In addition, nine reported insufficient hydration due to work schedules, distaste of water, or perceptions of it being unsafe. Discussion: This research highlights the importance of understanding perceptions of residents in EJ communities to contextualize vulnerability and identify multipronged heat coping strategies and targeted interventions.