Phase 3:

In the three-phase plan for the center, Phase 3 will build from the findings of Phase 2.   We anticipate generating specific hypotheses for further research including:

• returning to some of the originally selected locations for further monitoring and particle collection
• personal exposure studies
• panel studies of susceptible individuals
• more refined and targeted bioassays
• additionally, we will attempt to link health risks to sources of the more toxic particles as identified in the work in the earlier phases of the Center’s program

The directions of this research would be set by the Center’s leadership as Phase 2 findings were obtained. An ongoing working group will serve as the principal venue for discussion of findings and for elaboration and refinement of the Center’s research directions. A unified data base will facilitate synthesis of findings across the various lines of research; for example, the results related to a particular sample could be traced across the risks to health observed in the site where it was collected, to the information on its characteristics, to the findings in the various bioassays.