Methodology

We apply advanced epidemiological and exposure assessment methods, including case-crossover, time-series, and cohort designs, to study how air pollution, weather, and other environmental factors affect acute and chronic health outcomes using large-scale clinical and environmental data.

Novel Approaches to Air Pollution Exposure and Clinical Outcomes Assessment in Environmental Health Studies

In a paper led by Shaked Yarza (Yarza et al, 2019), we reviewed major limitations in traditional environmental health research, particularly inaccuracies in exposure assessment and clinical outcome measurement. It highlights novel approaches such as satellite-based hybrid models, GPS tracking, low-cost indoor sensors, and smart-device health monitoring to improve spatial, temporal, and individual-level precision. The authors suggest that integrating these tools, along with human biomonitoring, can substantially improve exposure estimation and better link environmental factors to health outcomes.

Mitigating the effects of desert dust-storms using exposure-reduction approaches (MEDEA)

We were partners in the MEDEA project (Mitigating the Effects of Desert Dust Storms Using Exposure-Reduction Approaches), an EU LIFE-funded initiative implemented in Cyprus, Greece, and Israel, regions heavily affected by desert dust pollution. The project aimed to develop models for forecasting dust storm events, providing timely public warnings, and designing practical, sustainable recommendations to reduce exposure. These included minimizing time spent outdoors, reducing physical activity, limiting home ventilation, and using indoor air cleaners. NEHRI participated as one of the project partners in advancing and evaluating these exposure-reduction strategies.

Differentiating the Health Effects of Anthropogenic and Natural Particulate Matter

In another investigation (Novack et al, 2020), we examined the biphasic response pattern to particulate matter (PM) observed across several studies. We hypothesized that the first phase reflects anthropogenic PM effects at relatively low concentrations, while the second phase is driven by non-anthropogenic particles at higher concentrations. This hypothesis was tested using two outcomes: blood glucose levels (546,420 tests in 43,569 individuals) and asthma exacerbations in children. The biphasic pattern was supported for blood glucose but not for asthma, suggesting outcome-specific mechanisms in PM-related health effects.

Human Biomonitoring Using National Blood Bank Donations

This study explored the feasibility of using a national blood bank system as a platform for human biomonitoring. Instead of relying on traditional, resource-intensive sampling methods, we used routinely collected blood donations to create a geographically representative cohort of the population. Blood samples were analyzed for heavy metals, including lead, cadmium, arsenic, and chromium, and linked to both short- and long-term environmental exposure estimates. The approach demonstrates a scalable and cost-efficient method for monitoring population-level exposure to environmental pollutants (Hassan et al, 2020.