CCCEH Research
The Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health conducts community-based research studies of mothers and newborns in the United States, China, and Poland. Our research examines the health effects of prenatal and early postnatal exposures to common urban pollutants, with the aim of preventing environmentally related disease in children. CCCEH applies its study findings to educating parents, physicians, health educators, and policy makers in an effort to improve prevention, clinical treatment, and environmental conditions community-wide.
The Center’s research hypothesizes that:
- prenatal and early postnatal exposures to indoor and outdoor air pollutants adversely affect neurobehavioral development and increase risk of asthma and childhood cancer;
- nutritional and genetic factors and social stressors modify these impacts; and
- interventions can reduce environmental risks to children.
Health Outcomes & Environmental Exposures
In each study, investigators follow several hundred mother-child pairs from pregnancy and birth through school-age, examining the respiratory health, cognitive development, and cancer risk in children prenatally exposed to chemicals called PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) including diesel exhaust particulates (DEP) and fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns in size (PM2.5). These air pollutants are produced by fuel burning from motor vehicles, power plants, industry, incinerators, residential heating. In addition, we are studying the health effects of early life exposure to secondhand smoke, pesticides, home pest allergens (cockroach, mouse, dust mite), metals such as lead and mercury, and mold.
Setting up a backpack monitor for measuring air pollution levels.
Scientific Methods
CCCEH conducts molecular epidemiologic prospective cohort studies and laboratory-based experimental research to further understand the development of disease associated with early life exposures to air pollutants, material deprivation, nutritional deficiencies, and interactions with certain genetic compositions that may increase people’s vulnerability to environmental pollutants. Scientists measure prenatal and postnatal pollution levels in the air women breathe during pregnancy, in home air samples after pregnancy, and in biomarkers in blood, urine, and babies’ first fecal material. Scientists study these measurements, looking for biological changes taking place that can disrupt children’s healthy growth and development and make children more susceptible to disease. Geographic Information Systems model the health effects of major community-wide sources of pollution. And health outcomes are measured using clinical exams, standard developmental assessments, maternal interviews, and home environment assessments.
Four Major Studies of Mothers & Newborns
CCCEH scientific research thus far indicates that environmental pollutants (diesel exhaust fumes, hydrocarbons, secondhand smoke, pesticides, and pest allergens) are important risk factors for reduced fetal development; chromosomal abnormalities and genetic damage; developmental delay (including behavioral and attention disorders); and asthma.
More information about the studies and research results:
Discover Initiative
CCCEH’s newest research undertaking is four coordinated studies funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Science’s (NIEHS) new centers program, Disease Investigation through Specialized Clinically-Oriented Ventures In Environmental Research (DISCOVER). The overall goal of the project is to understand when and how air pollutants increase the risk for childhood asthma.
More information: