Great Lakes Aerosol Monitoring Research (GLAMR Study)
The Great Lakes Center for Fresh Waters and Human Health and The University of Toledo is conducting the Great Lakes Aerosol Monitoring Research (GLAMR Study). People who live, work, or recreate near or on Lake Erie in Lucas, Sandusky, or Ottawa counties may be eligible to participate.
What are we studying?
You may have heard about cyanobacteria, also called blue-green algae. These microorganisms grow in water. Some types of cyanobacteria make toxins that can make people sick. We are researching whether these toxins can get into our bodies through the air we breathe.
Who can participate?
If you are interested in participating in the study, please call 419.383.6761.
To participate, you must meet certain criteria as listed below:
- Be 10 years of age or older.
- Live, work, or recreate near or on Lake Erie in Lucas, Sandusky, or Ottawa Counties
- Be willing and able to do study activities, including a lung function tests.
- Individuals with recent history of heart attack, chest, eye or abdominal surgery, collapsed lung or those with tuberculosis (TB) are not eligible to participate.
What can participants expect?
Participants will meet with staff members from the study multiple times throughout the year before, during, and after Harmful Algal Bloom Season (approximately April through December)
Participants are expected to do these activities:
- Complete symptom surveys
- Perform simple lung function tests (also called spirometry, peak flow and nitric oxide measurement) which involve breathing and/or blowing hard into testing devices both at the University of Toledo Health Science Campus and at home.
- Record time spent outdoors
Optional activities include:
- Provide nasal swabs and nasal brushings
- Provide blood and urine specimens
- Provide breath samples
Study personnel will work with and train participants to collect the information and samples above.
Staff members will explain all details of participation to participants.
You may incur costs associated with traveling to the University of Toledo Health Science Campus for study visits.
Free patient parking is provided in area 48 by Ruppert Health Center, where study visits will occur. Guest parking permits can be purchased for other lots.
Please be aware of posted signage as parking is strictly enforced on campus.
There are no other expected costs for participation.
We will provide incentives for participants who complete the optional activities specified above.
If you are interested in participating in the Great Lakes Aerosol Monitoring Research (GLAMR Study), please contact Jennifer Gilmore, RN BSN CCRC by email at jennifer.gilmore@utoledo.edu or call 419.383.6761.
Videos
Experts at The University of Toledo are engaged in research aimed at mitigating the impact of harmful algal blooms and understanding the risks they pose to human health.
Watch Dr. Steven Haller, associate professor of medicine, and Jennifer Gilmore, clinical research manager, discuss the study aimed at determining the health effects of airborne algal toxins.
Clinical trials
By participating in clinical research, you can help scientists develop new medications and other strategies to treat and prevent disease. Many effective treatments that are used today, such as chemotherapy, cholesterol-lowering drugs, vaccines, and cognitive-behavioral therapy, would not exist without research participants.