2011-17605. Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes a list of information collection requests under review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). To request a copy of these requests, call the CDC Reports Clearance Officer at [phone] or send an e-mail to [e-mail]. Send written comments to CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to [phone]. Written comments should be received within 30 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

The Green Housing Study—New—National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

This study directly supports the Healthy People 2020 Healthy Homes' health protection goal of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This investigation is also consistent with CDC's Health Protection Research Agenda, which calls for research to identify the major environmental causes of disease and disability and related risk factors.

The efficacy of green building design features in reducing allergens and toxic substances within the home has been assumed based on conventional wisdom. A better understanding is needed of the extent to which green-built, low-income housing actually reduces exposures to these compounds when compared to standard-built, low-income housing. In addition, this study may provide insight into how specific green building practices (e.g., use of low chemical-emitting paints and carpets) may influence levels of substances in the home such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A study investigating these topics would provide a solid foundation upon which to explore green affordable housing's potential to promote healthy homes principles.

The title of this study has changed since publication of the initial 60-day Federal Register Notice (FRN) (formally stated as The Green Housing Study: Environmental Health Impacts on Women and Children in Low-income Multifamily Housing); however, the goals remain the same. These goals will be accomplished in ongoing building renovation programs sponsored by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In partnership with HUD, the CDC will leverage opportunities to collect survey and biomarker data from residents and to collect environmental measurements in homes in order to evaluate associations between green housing and health.

Participants will include children with asthma and their mothers/primary caregiver living in HUD-subsidized housing that has either received a green renovation or is a comparison home (i.e., no renovation) from thirteen study sites across the United States. The following are eligible for the study: 1) 832 children (age 7-12 years with asthma and 2) 832 mothers/primary caregivers. Children with asthma (ages 7-12 years) will donate blood samples (for assessment of allergy) and urine samples (for assessment of pesticide and VOC exposures). The children with asthma (ages 7-12 years) will be also tested for lung function and lung inflammatory markers, and nasal and throat swabs samples will be collected to assess for acute respiratory infections. The length of follow-up is one year. Questionnaires regarding home characteristics and respiratory symptoms of the children will be administered at 1- to 6-month intervals.

Environmental sampling of the air and dust in the participants' homes will be conducted over a 1-year period (once in the home before rehabilitation (baseline I), and then at three time points after rehabilitation has been completed: Baseline II, 6 months, and 12 months). Environmental sampling includes measurements of air exchange rate, pesticides, VOCs, indoor allergens, fungi, temperature, humidity, and particulate matter.

To obtain sufficient statistical power, approximately 1000 adults (mothers/primary caregivers) will complete the screening forms. We assume after screening, some will not be eligible (an estimate of roughly 17%). Therefore, we will recruit 832 asthmatic children (age 7-12 years) and their mothers/primary caregivers. In summary, expected overall response rate could range from 69%-86% for the eligible participants in the study from screening through the end of data collection. The number and type of respondents that will complete the questionnaires are 832 mothers/primary caregivers of enrolled children with asthma (ages 7-12 years). All health and environmental exposure information about children will be provided by their mothers/primary caregivers (i.e., no children will fill out questionnaires).

There is no cost to the respondents other than their time to participate in the study. The total estimated annual burden hours equals 2356.

Estimated Annualized Burden Hours

Forms	Respondents	Number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Average burden per response (in hours)
Screening questionnaire	Mothers/primary caregivers of children with asthma	1000	1	10/60
Baseline Questionnaire (Home Characteristics)	Mothers/primary caregivers of enrolled children	832	1	15/60
Baseline Part 2 Questionnaire (Home Characteristics)	Mothers/primary caregivers of enrolled children	832	1	10/60
Baseline Questionnaire (Demographics)	Mothers/primary caregivers of enrolled children	832	1	5/60
Baseline Questionnaire (for Children with asthma 7-12 years)	Mothers/primary caregivers of enrolled children	832	1	15/60
Monthly texts	Mothers/primary caregivers of enrolled children	832	8	1/60
3 and 9-month Phone contact	Mothers/primary caregivers of enrolled children	832	2	5/60
6 and 12-month Follow-up Questionnaire (for environment)	Mothers/primary caregivers of enrolled children	832	2	10/60
6 and 12-month Follow-up Questionnaire (for mothers/primary caregivers)	Mothers/primary caregivers of enrolled children	832	2	10/60
6 and 12-month Follow-up Questionnaire (for Children with asthma 7-12 years)	Mothers/primary caregivers of enrolled children	832	2	10/60
Time/Activity form(for Children with asthma 7-12 years)	Mothers/primary caregivers of enrolled children	832	4	5/60
Time/Activity form(for mothers/primary caregivers)	Mothers/primary caregivers of enrolled children	832	4	5/60
Illness/Checklist	Mothers/primary caregivers of enrolled children	832	4	5/60

Catina Conner,

Acting Reports Clearance Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.