Growing evidence underscores the critical need to understand how environmental contaminants affect health during these sensitive developmental windows. To address this, the Environmental Health & Toxicology (EH&T) department has established the LINC mother-child cohort. Using the LINC cohort and other cohorts, we assess how environmental contaminants and chemical exposures impact the development and health of children and adults (i.e., characterize exposure–health outcome associations for single exposures and mixtures of exposures). In collaboration with the Chemistry for Environment & Health (CE&H) section, we evaluate levels of contaminants (pesticides, phthalates, PFAS, microplastics, flame retardants, etc.) in household and biological samples, including house dust, urine, cord blood, and placenta, and identify sources of exposures. Our department is at the forefront of human biomonitoring and the characterizing the chemical exposome. To advance this field, we explore innovative, non-invasive methods of exposure assessment, including wearable wristbands, house dust analysis, and hand wipes to capture an individual's immediate environment. Additionally, we evaluate the knowledge and risk perception of study participants regarding chemical contaminants and co-create and evaluate the effectiveness of exposure reduction interventions and health promotion strategies.
Our research provides essential insights for regulatory bodies and public health strategies aimed at mitigating adverse health effects of environmental contaminants and protecting vulnerable populations.