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A screening program identified children with poorly managed asthma or respiratory dysfunction. Children in grades 2-5 in all Passaic, New Jersey, schools were eligible for screening with questionnaires and a biometric test. Those with risk factors or failed biometric screening were referred to primary care providers. Of the 6,579 eligible children, 3,657 (56%) had parental questionnaires returned and 3,834 (58%) were biometrically screened. Over the 4-yr study period, 6-22% of children were previously diagnosed with asthma. Approximately 20% of children demonstrated peak flow measures Key words: childhood asthma, Hispanic populations, respiratory dysfunction, school-based screening, ASTHMA affects more than 5% of the American population, about 15 million people and nearly 7% of children < 18 yr. (1-3) Unlike many illnesses that have shown dramatic declines [...]

Investigators used a Lioy-Weisel-Wainman sampler to analyze the chromium content in house-dust samples obtained from households near chromium waste sites in Hudson County, New Jersey. Chromium concentrations in dust ([micro]g/g)--indicative of nonbackground source contributions--were significantly higher in Jersey City homes than in control homes outside of Hudson County (228 and 111 [micro]g/g, respectively; p [is less than] .001). Chromium dust loadings on surfaces (ng/[cm.sup.2]), representing the amount of chromium available for contact and a direct measure of exposure potential, were also higher in Jersey City homes than in control homes (31 ng/[cm.sup.2] and 14 ng/[cm.sup.2], respectively; p = .008). Near some of the sites, investigators found elevated chromium dust loads more frequently in homes occupied by at least one household member who had elevated urine chromium, as determined in a separate screening project, than in homes occupied by members whose urine chromium was not elevated. Individuals with elevated urine chromium levels were found less frequently in homes in which good housekeeping practices were evident than in homes absent such practices., DURING THE PAST 10 Y, investigators have identified more than 160 chromate production waste sites within Hudson County, New Jersey--particularly within Jersey City.[1] These sites are distributed throughout the community [...]