Natural History of the Human Biological Response to Environmental Exposure and Injury

Study Description: Environmental exposures such as pollution, diet, stress, etc. contribute to the development and exacerbation of human disease. Understanding the mechanisms of environmentally induced injury and inflammation will allow us to devise better prophylaxis and treatment measures. Subjects may undergo sampling of (including but not limited to:) blood, urine, saliva, household dust, cheek cells, hair, nasal cells, stool, nail clippings, exhaled breath condensate, sperm samples, skin cells, and/or sputum etc., and may answer predefined questionnaires regarding health and exposures. Studies which may be performed on collected material includes establishment of cell cultures and immunologic studies. Objectives: Primary Objective: To identify the interaction of host and environmental factors in the response to injury and the development of disease. Secondary Objectives: To develop better methodological tools in order to quantify host-environmental interactions in health and disease. Endpoints: Primary Endpoint: Biological markers of cell/tissue injury and inflammation, such as inflammatory cytokines, intracellular kinases or DNA/RNA damage in association with in vitro or in vivo environmental exposures. Secondary Endpoints: Diseases or pathological processes (e.g. abnormal laboratory values) associated with environmental exposures.