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Patrick
N.
Breysse
,
PhD

Professor
- Emeritus

Patrick Breysse, PhD ‘85, MHS '80, conducts research focused on the evaluation and control of chemical, biological, and physical factors that impact human health and well-being.

Contact Info

615 N. Wolfe Street, Room E6630
Baltimore
Maryland
21205
US        
410.955.9334

Research Interests

Environmental Health Sciences, industrial hygiene, exposure assessment, pollution, childhood asthma, environmental epidemiology

Experiences & Accomplishments
Education
PhD
Johns Hopkins University
1985
MHS
Johns Hopkins University
1980
Overview

Dr. Breysse is the Director of the ABET accredited Occupational and Environmental Hygiene Academic Program. He is also the Co-Director Center for Childhood Asthma in the Urban Environment. His research focuses on the evaluation and control of chemical, biological, and physical factors that can impact health or well being. In this context, Dr. Breysse's research concentrates on risk and exposure assessment. Exposure assessment research includes pollutant source characterization, exposure measurement and interpretation, development and use of biomarkers of exposure/dose/effect, and evaluating relationships between sources, exposures, doses and disease.

 

Dr. Breysse's research currently includes studies of the impact of indoor and outdoor air pollution on respiratory health including childhood asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and respiratory tract infections.  He also directs a second secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure assessment laboratory and conducts SHS exposure studies around the world in support of tobacco control policy development. Dr. Breysse is collaborating on complex health and exposure studies around the world including studies in Peru, Nepal, Mongolia, Columbia, and India.  In addition, Dr. Breysse collaborates with colleagues in Material Sciences and Engineering on the development of novel sensor technology using organic semiconductors.  

Honors & Awards

Safety and Occupational Health Study Section Chair 2007-2008

 

Meritorious Achievement Award, American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, 2006

 

Leader People-to People professional exchange in Occupational and Environmental Health in South Africa, 2004

 

Delta Omega Public Health Honorary Society inductee, 2003

 

Phi Beta Kappa, 1978

Select Publications
  • Berman JD, Fann N, Hollingsworth JW, Pinkerton KE, Rom WN, Szema AM, Breysse PN, White RH, Curriero FC. Health Benefits from Large-Scale Ozone Reduction in the United States. Environ Health Perspect. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1104851 (2012).

    1. Han I, Mihalic JN, Ramos-Bonilla JP, Rule AM, Polyak LM, Peng RD, Geyh AS, Breysse PN. Assessment of Heterogeneity of Metal Composition of Fine Particulate Matter Collected from Eight U.S. Counties using Principal Component Analysis. J Air Waste Manag Assoc. 2012 Jul;62(7):773-82.

    2. Rivera-Mariani FEMatsui ECBreysse PN. Performance of the Halogen Immunoassay to Assess Airborne Mouse Allergen-Containing Particles in a Laboratory Animal Facility. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. doi: 10.1038/jes.2012.76 (2012).

    3. Chau E, Galloway JF, Nelson A, Breysse PN, Wirtz D, Searson PC, Sidhaye VK.   Effect of Modifying Quantum Dot Surface Charge on Airway Epithelial Cell Uptake In Vitro. Nanotoxicology doi:10.3109/17435390.2012.711862 (2012).

    4. Breysse PN, Delfino RJ, Dominici F, Elder ACP, Frampton MW, Froines JR, Geyh AS, Godleski JJ, Gold DR, Hopke PK, Koutrakis P, Li N, Oberdörster G, Pinkerton KE, Samet JM, Utell MJ, Wexler AS. U.S. EPA Particulate Matter Research Centers: Summary of Research Results for 2005–2011. Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health. Accepted (2012).

    Projects
    SHS Exposure among Women and Children
    The Impact of African Dust on Childhood Asthma Morbidity in Barbados
    Mechanisms of Asthma Dietary Interventions against Environmental Triggers
    Johns Hopkins Occupational Safety and Health Education and Research Center
    Cookstove Replacement for Prevention of ARI and Low Birth Weight in Nepal
    Validating Particulate Matter Monitors for Multiple Parameters
    Validation of Genomic Biomarker of Response to Environmental Tobacco Smoke
    Chronic Hydrocarbon Spills: Linking the Soil Microbiome to Biodegradation
    Cookstore Replacement for Prevention of ARI and Low Birthweight in Nepal