Brevetoxins and Emergency Encounters among Children (BEECH)

PROJECT SUMMARY
Algal blooms - the rapid growth of photosynthetic organisms in water - endanger human health,
but there is a stunning lack of data regarding effects on children. The algae K. brevis blooms in
the Gulf of America (formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico) almost annually, causing `red tides' that last for months to years. K. brevis is fragile, breaking in the surf and releasing potent brevetoxins (natural poisons that are odorless and tasteless) into the water and marine aerosol that can be carried inland by wind, potentially being inhaled by thousands of children living in coastal areas. Additional exposure routes include the ingestion of contaminated seafood and seawater. Epidemiologic studies of adults have linked brevetoxin exposures to gastrointestinal inflammation, respiratory irritation, and neurological problems. Because children have smaller body sizes, inhale more air, and consume more food and water than adults, it is very likely they encounter higher doses of brevetoxin exposures. In addition, protective bodily systems for detoxification are not fully developed, leaving children at increased risk for brevetoxin-induced illnesses. However, no study to date has investigated the impacts of brevetoxin exposures among children. Without epidemiologic data specific to this population, scientific knowledge required for tailoring risk communication and public health interventions remains incomplete, allowing any health risks to children to persist. To address this critical gap, we are proposing the first population-based study of health effects from residential brevetoxin exposures among children. Our interdisciplinary team is well-suited to conduct this work given our complementary expertise in environmental epidemiology, pediatric health, emergency medicine, and marine sciences. By spatiotemporally linking K. brevis monitoring data from the Gulf of America (formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico) with emergency department records for children aged 0-18 years residing in southwest Florida from 2012 through 2019, this work will leverage established resources to cost- effectively assess residential brevetoxin exposures as a trigger for seeking emergency healthcare and identify the bodily systems most affected. In addition, this work will produce maps of K. brevis concentrations in Gulf waters by residential areas, providing a valuable resource for future epidemiologic studies. Finally, the findings of this work will serve as a basis to improve brevetoxin exposure assessment methods and design a prospective cohort focused on the health effects of ocean-related exposures. Ultimately, the goal is for this project and related future proposals is to catalyze research at the intersection of oceans and human health, fostering the development of improved risk communication and policies to promote healthy lives.

Grant Number: 5R03ES036276-02
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: Catherine Bulka