Grantee Research Project Results
2023 Progress Report: UNC Center for Early Life Exposures And Neurotoxicity (UNC CLEAN)
EPA Grant Number: R840219Title: UNC Center for Early Life Exposures And Neurotoxicity (UNC CLEAN)
Investigators: Engel, Stephanie M. , Fry, Rebecca , Gray, Kathleen , Li, Gang , Li, Tengfei , Lin, Weili , Lu, Kun , Rager, Julia , Graves, Neasha , Starling, Anne
Current Investigators: Engel, Stephanie M. , Fry, Rebecca , Gray, Kathleen , Keil, Alex , Li, Gang , Li, Tengfei , Lin, Weili , Lu, Kun , Rager, Julia , Graves, Neasha , Starling, Anne
Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: July 1, 2021 through May 8, 2025
Project Period Covered by this Report: July 1, 2022 through June 30,2023
Project Amount: $1,894,823
RFA: Center for Early Lifestage Vulnerabilities to Environmental Stressors (2020) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Children's Health , Endocrine Disruptors
Objective:
The vision of the UNC Center for Early Life Exposures And Neurotoxicity (UNC CLEAN) is to provide new knowledge on the role of early life phthalate exposures on neurobehavioral development, discover the underlying neural substrates that link phthalate exposures to developmental outcomes, and translate interdisciplinary science to community stakeholders.
Progress Summary:
In year two we completed analysis of 17 phthalate and replacement plasticizer metabolites, including quality control analyses, from 304 samples collected among 122 children between the ages of 0-3 years. We completed QA/QC analyses, finding excellent coefficients of variation indicating high analytic accuracy. Non-targeted analysis of the urinary exposome has commenced. We have also developed a strategy for chemical prioritization for identification in the urinary exposome data. We completed curated datasets of the postnatal sMRI and rsfMRI features, and Mullen Scales of Early Learning inventory. We completed the enrollment and 3rd trimester fetal imaging of 33 participants, 24 of which had scans with minimal motion artifacts that are suitable for analysis. Prenatal urines have been sent for analysis of phthalate and replacement plasticizer metabolites. Statistical analysis of phthalates in relation to postnatal imaging features and developmental inventories has commenced.
The Translation co-convened the Children’s Health Advisory Team (CHAT). Drs. Engel and Lin presented on UNC CLEAN research, and answered questions about impact on CHAT’s constituents. The TC also convened 4 meetings of the NC Lead and Healthy Homes Outreach Task Force. Approximately 42 participants from public health/housing and CBOs were included, with presentations on prenatal stressors and childhood health inequalities, lead/asbestos testing in schools, and the NC Environmental Health Data Dashboard. The TC conducted interviews with local health departments, which was facilitated by a local CHAT member, in order to find strategies for informing childcare staff about best practices with respect to phthalate exposures, and led efforts to adapt educational materials for phthalate exposure, with the help of NCCU, Elon and UNC interns over Year 2.
The Administrative Core held quarterly meetings of administrative and center personnel, and an annual meeting of the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), in which center investigators presented on their year 2 progress to SAB members. A read-out of SAB discussion from the annual meeting was provided to Dr. Engel following the annual meeting.
Future Activities:
In the upcoming year, we anticipate completing multiple papers on the relationship between phthalates and postnatal imaging features and developmental tests. In the upcoming year, the TC will continue to convene quarterly meetings of the NC Lead and Healthy Homes Outreach Task Force, the CHAT, and will support one PHE intern in spring 2024.
Journal Articles on this Report : 1 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 1 publications | 1 publications in selected types | All 1 journal articles |
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Thistle J, Liu C, Rager J, Singer A, Chen D, Manley C, Piven J, Gilmore J, Keil A, Starling A, Zhu H, Lin W, Lu K, Engel S. Urinary metabolite concentrations of phthalate and plasticizers in infancy and childhood in the UNC baby connectome project. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024;259(119467). |
R840219 (2023) |
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Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.