Grantee Research Project Results

2003 Progress Report: Children's Vulnerability to Environmental Immunotoxicant Exposure

EPA Grant Number: R830758
Title: Children's Vulnerability to Environmental Immunotoxicant Exposure
Investigators: Grandjean, Philippe , Weihe, Pal
Institution: Harvard University
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: May 5, 2003 through May 4, 2006 (Extended to May 4, 2007)
Project Period Covered by this Report: May 5, 2003 through May 4, 2004
Project Amount: $750,000
RFA: Children's Vulnerability to Toxic Substances in the Environment (2002) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Children's Health , Human Health

Objective:

The objective of this research project is to determine the immunotoxic risk in children exposed prenatally and postnatally to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Experimental animal studies with Aroclor 1254 used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for calculating a Reference Dose (RfD) for PCBs suggest that immunotoxicity may be critical, but current exposures, especially those from breast-feeding, greatly exceed the RfD.

Progress Summary:

The project was started as planned, and the approved protocol has been followed without any changes needed. The procedures of contacting subjects, informed consent, blood sampling, and clinical examination have not deviated in any way from the approved grant proposal. By mid-2004, the birth cohort followup achieved the following accomplishments:

530 mothers and their children (including pilot subjects) have received invitations by letter to participate in the 5-year examination, and a total of 480 have accepted and completed the examination.

10 parents wished to withdraw from the cohort study without any particular reason given (we do not demand any explanation). In addition, seven parents do not intend to participate in this part of the study because of the sensitive age of the child, but they do want to participate again when the child has reached school age.

18 children emigrated with their families to Denmark, three to Iceland, and one each emigrated to the United Kingdom, Spain, and Greenland.

In regard to the cohort proper, a total of 392 cohort children have been examined, thus leaving slightly less than 150 for the remainder of the project.

In regard to the completion of clinical procedures during these examinations, 459 blood and hair samples were obtained before vaccination, and 314 blood samples were obtained 4 weeks after vaccination. These numbers include pilot subjects. The samples currently are stored and awaiting chemical analysis.

We received approval to continue our project from the Harvard School of Public Health’s Human Subject’s Committee and, therefore, are in compliance with Federal and school regulations for conducting research with humans. Biological samples are being collected and handled in accordance with the guidelines from the Faroese Labor Inspection (similar to Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines).

As examinations have just begun, there have been no results to date. Additionally, no data results or evaluations were made during Year 1 of the project because data collection is still ongoing.

Future Activities:

We will recruit and examine the remainder of the study cohort in Year 2 of the project, with additional studies (especially analyses of antibodies and exposure biomarkers) being initiated, as outlined in the grant proposal.

Journal Articles:

No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 16 publications for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

cumulative effects, dioxin, dose-response, epidemiology, human health, hypersusceptibility, infants, marine food contamination, methylmercury, mixed exposure, prenatal exposure delayed response, risk assessment, sensitive populations, polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs, blood samples,, RFA, Health, Scientific Discipline, PHYSICAL ASPECTS, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, HUMAN HEALTH, Health Risk Assessment, Physical Processes, Risk Assessments, Environmental Policy, Exposure, Children's Health, Biochemistry, Risk Assessment, dietary exposure, health effects, Human Health Risk Assessment, post-natal exposure, exposure model, pesticides, developmental toxicity, pesticide exposure, prenatal exposure, polychlorinated biphenyl, animal model, immunotoxicology, PCB, pregnant women, developmental effects, children's vulnerablity, children's environmental health, exposure assessment

Relevant Websites:

http://www.chef-project.dk/ Exit

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

The 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.