· Why is the East Bay Children's Respiratory Health Study being done?
There is little information about the respiratory (lung) health of children in California. We also need to know more about what factors in the environment may contribute to respiratory (breathing) problems in children. This study will help us understand more about respiratory problems of children living in the East Bay and how these problems may be related to a child's environment.

· Who is doing the study?
The state of California's Environmental Protection Agency is doing the study. The University of California at Berkeley and the state Department of Health Services are also helping. Your school district and the principal at your child's school support this study.

· Who will be in the study?
Your child's school is one of ten schools in the East Bay participating in this study. About 1500 children in grades 3, 4, and 5 have been invited to be in the study.

· Why we would like everyone to participate?
Your participation is voluntary but very important. Because only a few schools were selected to take part in the study, it is important that we learn about the respiratory health of all children who were chosen. This includes children who do not have any respiratory problems.

· How will the study be done?
Currently, we are visiting every class to tell them about the study. We are also giving a science lesson about how lungs work, and the air we breathe. We are asking you (as parents or guardians) to fill out a questionnaire about your child. There are questions about your child's health, home, and family situation. Your answers will help us to study possible links between children's environments and their health.

1. If you agree to participate in the study, please sign the consent form and fill out the questionnaire in this packet. It should take about 30-40 minutes. It may take longer if your child has asthma.

2. Have your child return the questionnaire and consent form to his or her teacher using the envelope in the packet. Be sure to seal the envelope. The envelopes will be collected by the teacher and given to a member of the study team.

3. If you prefer to answer the survey by phone, you can call Alex Roberts at (510) 643-5220. You may call collect if you need to.

· How will being in this study benefit my child?
All students in the class will get a chance to learn about the lungs, respiratory health, and the air we breathe. They will have a first-hand look at how scientific studies are done. If your answers suggest that your child may have a breathing problem that may need further evaluation, we will send you a letter recommending that you follow-up with your child's doctor. This study will give us valuable knowledge about the health of East Bay children. It will help us develop programs to improve the health of children throughout California.

· Are there possible problems with taking part in the study?
How do we make sure your family's privacy is protected?
There should be no problems for you or your child if you participate. Everything you tell us is confidential. Only research staff will see the answers. No one else will see your answers, including school staff and other agencies.