How Air Pollution Impacts Kids in Our Community
CHAPS is an NIH-funded study and a collaboration between CCAC, UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco. The study investigated the effects of childhood and in utero (during pregnancy) exposure to ambient air pollution, with a focus on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other combustion-related pollutants, on immune and metabolic dysregulation. CHAPS STACK is a CARB-funded supplement to CHAPS, assessing cognition, attention, behavior, mood and standardized test performance in relation to air pollution. CCAC’s research staff conducted study visits to collect biospecimens (blood, urine, saliva, hair and nails), body measurements (BP, height/weight, bioimpedance), psychosocial and neurocognitive data, and home environment and child activity data (associated with environmental exposure assessments) from the primary CHAPS cohort that included over 400 children in Fresno who were originally enrolled between 2013-2015. Data collection for CHAPS was officially completed in the Spring of 2025 and data analysis efforts are ongoing.
Study Findings
CHAPS demonstrated a relationship between air pollution exposure and children’s health, including immune (increased allergy and asthma) and metabolic (pre-diabetes) dysfunction. CHAPS STACK analyses are in progress (anticipated release Q3 2026).
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Partners & Collaborators
CCAC works alongside a diverse network of partners and collaborators—including universities, public health agencies, and community organizations—to advance Environmental Health Research that drives data-informed solutions for cleaner air and healthier communities.
