Center on Health and Environment Across the Lifespan (HEALS) Announces 2023 Pilot Program Awardees

Sleep disruption is a growing public health problem, with adolescents experiencing a dramatic decline in sleep duration in recent years. At the same time, exposure to artificial light at night (ALAN), a ubiquitous and understudied environmental exposure, has been on the rise globally. Of particular interest are short-wave ALAN sources (<500 nm, also known as “blue light”), given their capacity to stimulate the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) via the retina which regulates the circadian rhythms including sleep. ALAN exposure is considered the most important environmental cue for the disruption of the SCN function, with the majority of evidence focused on adults and occupational settings. Only a limited number of epidemiological studies have delved into the relationship between ALAN exposure and sleep disruption in adolescents, primarily focusing on outdoor ALAN sources; overlooking crucial information on indoor ALAN sources (including self-luminous devices) and blue light. To address these critical gaps in knowledge, we are conducting research within the PROGRESS cohort located in Mexico City, which is estimated to be among the top ten most light-polluted cities in the world. Our study involves the collection of data on both outdoor and indoor ALAN sources, enabling us to comprehensively investigate their relationship with sleep disruption in adolescents. Our work aims to make significant contributions to the fields of exposure science and ALAN-related epidemiology. We are providing spatiotemporally detailed exposure estimates for outdoor ALAN sources, employing ground monitors and satellite data. Additionally, we are introducing innovative circadian calibrated exposure metrics for indoor ALAN sources. Through these efforts, we seek to gain a better understanding of how both outdoor and indoor ALAN exposures impact the sleep health of adolescents.

Epidemiological studies have linked prenatal exposure to per- and polyflouroalkyl substances (PFAS) with lower birthweight. The placenta is the crucial regulator of the intrauterine environment, protecting the fetus from environmental insults and orchestrating fetal growth and development. Yet, little is known about the effects of PFAS on the placenta. Furthermore, their impact on the human placental transcriptome has not yet been studied. In addition, most studies examining associations between PFAS and birthweight have not evaluated effects of exposure to “emerging” or “replacement” PFAS or their impact as a chemical mixture. Herein, we propose to leverage existing plasma and placenta samples from mother-infant pairs in the Generation C birth cohort at Mount Sinai, to investigate associations between PFAS exposures with birthweight and the placental transcriptome. This pilot will 1) measure PFAS congeners in recently collected maternal plasma samples (2020-2022) at the HEALS IHSFC core with a high-sensitivity method that can measure up to 50 “legacy” and “emerging” PFAS, 2) use a novel body burden score to evaluate PFAS mixture effects on birthweight and the placental transcriptome, 3) leverage existing placenta RNA-seq data using a system biology approach (Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis) to assess PFAS effects on the placental transcriptome. The results of this study will provide pilot data to support an R01 application in the larger cohort that will comprehensively examine the interrelations between prenatal PFAS exposure, placental molecular makers, and pregnancy outcomes.

As a result of inequitable policies and planning, the Lower East Side (LES) of NYC is disproportionately burdened by poor air quality and consequential health impacts. Nestled alongside the FDR Drive, a power plant, and the ongoing East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR) Project, the LES is inundated by pollution from cars, construction, industry, and CO2 emissions exacerbated by the recent chopping of nearly 1,000 mature trees in East River Park.

Since 1978, Sixth Street Community Center (SSCC) has been deeply involved in supporting the Lower East Side (LES) and is well-positioned to collaborate with Mount Sinai to engage residents in locally driven research and data collection. This proposal aims to improve community well-being by equipping LES residents with the tools to make data-supported recommendations for a healthier and more sustainable neighborhood. In partnership with Mount Sinai’s Center on Health and the Environment Across the LifeSpan (HEALS), SSCC will develop a methodology to document community-led air monitoring efforts, forming the foundation of a toolkit for other neighborhoods looking to use local data to guide their own solutions.

This project will build on Mount Sinai’s expertise and strengthen SSCC’s ability to support community-driven initiatives based on scientific research. Together, we will collaborate with LES residents to develop locally led solutions. The project will involve leadership and participation from local residents and high school students, who will contribute to all aspects of the work, including research design, data collection, analysis, and sharing findings with neighbors and decision-makers. A structured research framework will foster leadership, expand local knowledge, and guide future efforts to address community needs.