Background : Research has shown that air pollution, particularly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), may cause cancer in humans.  A new approach to measuring exposure is based on a location (geographic information systems: GIS) and measures traffic density during all daily activities. This needs to be checked against urinary measures of PAH. Further, traffic exposure can differ by education, income, and ethnicity. Objective : To determine: 1) how closely PAH in urine is related to self-reported estimates of PAHs; 2) how this measure relates to a GIS-based method; 3) sources of PAHs; and 4) relationships of traffic exposure with income, education and ethnic group. Methods: 600 women ages 35-79 in Vancouver will be enrolled. Data collection will include diaries and urine.  Contribution : This project will show if a new method to measure air pollution is suitable for use in cancer risk studies, and how traffic exposure differs by education, income, and ethnic group, for use in cancer prevention policy and interventions.

This study is funded by the Environment-Cancer Fund^TM. Thank you to Read for the Cure for their financial contribution to this project.