Graduate Academic Programs

Exploring relationships between smoke exposure, housing characteristics, and preterm birth in California

Rachel Sklar
Sally Picciotto
Dan Meltzer
Dana E. Goin
ShihMing Huang
Frederick Lurmann
Elizabeth Noth, PhD, CIH
Nathan Pavlovic
Rachel Morello-Frosch
Amy M. Padula
2024

Pregnant people are vulnerable to air pollution exposure, including risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and stillbirth. Understanding the infiltration of outdoor wildfire smoke into a residential space is critical for the accurate assessment of wildfire smoke exposure and associated health effects in pregnant people. Relying on ambient measurements of wildfire smoke alone can result in exposure misclassification. In this study, we examine the role of physical housing characteristics in the relationship between smoke exposure and preterm birth. In particular, we examine the...

Continuous personal monitoring and personalized hydration recommendations with wearable sweat sensors to prevent occupational heat stress. In: Waldemar Karwowski and Tareq Ahram (eds) Artificial Intelligence, Social Computing and Wearable Technologies.

Michelle Stewart
Andrea Tineo
Benjamin Woodrow
Michael Wasik
Selina Chan
2025
Exposure to extreme heat during physical exertion may impair cognitive and physical abilities commonly known as heat stress. Industrial workers are vulnerable to the effects of extreme heat due to increasing ambient temperatures, tasks with radiant heat exposures, work intensity, and added personal protective equipment (PPE) burden. New wearable sweat sensors may help mitigate heat stress by monitoring physiological signs of dehydration and provide real-time hydration recommendations. As wearable sensors are introduced into the workplace, this study aims to understand whether continuous...

Identification of Airborne Particle Types and Sources at a California School Using Electron Microscopy

Jeff Wagner
Rosemary Castorina
Kazukiyo Kumagai
McKenna Thompson
Rebecca Sugrue
Elizabeth Noth, PhD, CIH
Asa Bradman
Susan Hurley
2023

We conducted a pilot study to investigate air quality indoors in two classrooms and outdoors on the school grounds in a California community with historically high PM2.5 (fine particulate matter, diameter < 2.5 μm). We used computer-controlled scanning electron microscopy of passive samples to identify major PM types, which were used to help interpret continuous PM2.5 and black carbon sensor data. The five major PM types were sodium salt particles with sulfur, calcium, or chlorine; aluminosilicate dusts; carbonaceous combustion...

Exposures to FD&C synthetic color additives from over-the-counter medications and vitamins in United States children and pregnant women

Ruwan Thilakaratne
Rosemary Castorina
Mayela Gillan
Dorothy Han
Teja Pattabhiraman
Anuroop Nirula
Mark D Miller
Melanie Marty
Arlie Lehmkuhler
Alyson Mitchell
Asa Bradman
2022

Background: Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Drug and Cosmetic (FD&C) synthetic color additives (SCAs) have been associated with attentional and behavioral problems in children. Efforts to quantify exposure have focused on foods, while the contribution of medications and supplements remains unknown.

Objective: To estimate exposures to SCAs in children (2-16 years) and pregnant women from intake of common over-the-counter (OTC) medications and vitamins.

Methods: We estimated single-day exposure (mg/kg/day) to FD...

Understanding contributing factors to exoskeleton use-intention in construction: a decision tree approach using results from an online survey

Sunwook Kim
Aanuoluwapo Ojelade
Albert Moore
Nancy Gutierrez
Carisa Harris-Adamson
Alan Barr, MS
Divya Srinivasan
David M. Rempel
Maury A Nussbaum
2023

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a major health concern in the construction industry. Occupational exoskeletons (EXOs) are a promising ergonomic intervention to help reduce WMSD risk. Their adoption, however, has been low in construction. To understand the contributing factors to EXO use-intention and assist in future decision-making, we built decision trees to predict responses to each of three EXO use-intention questions (Try, Voluntary Use, and Behavioural Intention), using online survey responses. Variable selection and hyperparameter tuning were used...

Perceived benefits, barriers, perceptions, and readiness to use exoskeletons in the construction industry: Differences by demographic characteristics

Nancy Gutierrez
Aanuoluwapo Ojelade
Sunwook Kim
Alan Barr, MS
Abiola Akanmu
Maury A. Nussbaum
Carisa Harris-Adamson
2024
Exoskeletons (EXOs) are a promising wearable intervention to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorder risks among construction workers. However, the adoption of EXOs may differ with demographic characteristics. Survey data (n = 361) were collected from construction industry stakeholders and a summation score method was used to summarize respondent's benefits and barriers to EXO use, along...

Dietary Exposure to United States Food and Drug Administration-Approved Synthetic Food Colors in Children, Pregnant Women, and Women of Childbearing Age Living in the United States

Asa Bradman
Rosemary Castorina
Ruwan Thilakaratne
Mayela Gillan
Teja Pattabhiraman
Anuroop Nirula
Melanie Marty
Mark D Miller
2022

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates artificial food colors (AFCs) in the United States. Exposure to AFCs has raised concerns about adverse behavioral effects in children. We quantified AFC exposure in women of childbearing age, pregnant women, and children and compared them to FDA and World Health Organization acceptable daily intakes (ADIs). We estimated the “typical” and “high” single-day and two-day average dietary exposure to each AFC (mg/kg/day) based on laboratory measurements and food consumption data from the 2015−2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination...

Human Factors and Ergonomics Program (UCB / UCSF)

The HFE program provides specialized training in an HFE-related discipline like Environmental Health Sciences or Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Bioengineering), and trains tomorrow’s experts in exposure assessment and human-centered design to optimize performance and health.

Occupational and Environmental Medicine Program (UCSF)

The OEM residency training program prepares physicians for Board Certification in the OEM specialty. The OEM Residency prepares physicians for OEM practice and leadership roles in clinical, academic, government, non-governmental organizations, consulting, or corporate settings.

Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Program (UCB)

The Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology program provides training in the specific analytical tools needed to study health risks concerning workplace exposures. Trainees learn how to analyze quantitative data on a variety of chemical and physical exposures in relation to health outcomes.