# Evaluation of radon progeny and air pollution effects in asthma

> **NIH NIH K23** · BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL · 2024 · $207,540

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Research: Children exposed to indoor air pollution are known to more likely develop asthma, and in those with
asthma, indoor air pollution can worsen asthma symptoms. Radon (Rn), a radioactive gas known for its lung
cancer effects, decays into radiation-emitting progeny which has potential to induce cellular damage once
inhaled. While residential Rn exposure is common, less is known about the non-cancer health effects of Rn
decay products. Current health regulations and priorities are based solely on its carcinogenic effects in the lung.
Indoor exposure to radon has been recently associated with COPD morbidity and mortality and an increased
risk for hospital admissions. Given the association linking residential Rn exposure to COPD morbidity, in this
exploratory application, we propose adverse health effects associated with Rn decay products via particle
radioactivity in asthma morbidity, a common condition of obstructive lung disease in the pediatric population.
Candidate: Dr. Banzon’s long-term goal is to become an independent NIH-funded investigator focused on the
role of assessing the physical environment with a specific focus on air pollution and asthma morbidity in inner-
city children. This proposal details a five-year project to provide Dr. Banzon the training and expertise necessary
to study the effects of radon progeny and particle radioactivity in asthma by measuring its health effects in an
established cohort of inner-city children with asthma enrolled in the School Inner-City Asthma Study (PI:
Phipatanakul). Her aim is to identify a novel and modifiable environmental exposure that contributes to asthma
morbidity in children. The findings have potential to aid in the design of public health intervention trials, directly
inform activities regarding radon mitigation as an intervention to alleviate disability from asthma, and identify
biomarkers associated with particle radioactivity which may help phenotype patients and help predict those who
may have a more favorable response to personalized asthma treatment based on biomarkers.
Environment: Dr. Banzon will be mentored by Dr. Phipatanakul, an expert in epidemiology, clinical trials, and
clinical investigation in asthma and allergic diseases. She has assembled an extraordinary team of advisors,
including Drs. Petros Koutrakis, Jonathan Gaffin, and Brett Coull, who have committed their time, resources,
and expertise to facilitate Dr. Banzon’s career development and successful completion of the proposed project.
During this award period, Dr. Banzon will complete complementary coursework through the Harvard School of
Public Health and Harvard Catalyst Program, with a focus to hone on her skills in environmental epidemiology
targeted toward air pollution and childhood asthma. The academic environment created by the mentor, institution,
Harvard University, and its affiliates provides fertile ground for learning and collaborating specific to her research.
Dr. Banzon wi...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10904933
- **Project number:** 5K23ES035459-02
- **Recipient organization:** BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Tina Banzon
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $207,540
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-08-11 → 2028-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10904933

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10904933, Evaluation of radon progeny and air pollution effects in asthma (5K23ES035459-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10904933. Licensed CC0.

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