Projeto JOIN - o ar Como Meio de prevenção e a diagnóstico da Asma e Alergia

Objectives:

The JOIN project combines the health and indoor environment research areas to contribute in the development and validation of a new asthma diagnosis method through exhaled VOC analysis. This method is more sensitive, more specific, and completely non-invasive. Moreover, the JOIN project will assess the impact of exposure to the indoor environment, namely endocrine disruptors, on asthma and allergy development in children. The specific objectives of the project are:

1. Classify children with asthma and healthy controls using exhaled VOC profiles;
2. Classify asthma phenotypes using exhaled VOCprofiles;
3. Evaluate the influence of prolonged exposure to exogenous VOCs on the exhaled breath samples;
4. Characterize indoor exposure by measuring the concentrations of a set of chemicals identified as EDCs in indoor air and dust at homes;
5. Evaluate the association between exposure to EDCs indoors and children's health outcomes focused on asthma/allergies and also with the exacerbation of allergies and respiratory symptoms in those who are already sensitized;
6. Investigate which building materials and consumer products might be contributing most to children's exposure;
7. Assess the association between EDCs indoor exposure and lung function, airway inflammation and responsiveness, and exhaled and urine biomarkers of disease.

The completion of this project may contribute to the validation of a new asthma diagnostic method on its way to be introduced in a real clinical context.

The indoor air quality auditing will permit a better understanding of the exposure process to endocrine disruptors and health effects, mainly in children. The project will also evaluate and compare EDCs in indoor air and in children, as a result from exposure.