Children’s Exposures to Chemical and Non-Chemical Stressors: What Have We Learned About Health and Well-Being?
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Children, pregnant women, and men are exposed to diverse chemical and non-chemical stressors found in their everyday environment. These stressors, individually and in combination, are thought to contribute to their health and well-being during each developmental stage throughout their lifecourse. To understand chemical exposures, we collect and analyze multimedia (e.g., air, water, soil, dust, food, urine) samples for chemicals of interest including, but not limited to, pesticides (organophosphates, pyrethroids), polybrominated diphenyl ethers, bisphenol A, nanosilver, and other consumer product ingredients. We also collect supporting information such as time activity data and household inventories. Over time, our research has evolved to consider a holistic approach to children’s environmental health. Using a systems approach, we collect and analyze data and information on exposures to both chemical and non-chemical stressors, recognizing that these interrelationships may impact the biological response to a chemical agent. Examples of non-chemical stressors include access to parks and recreational amenities, food types and access, health care options, family dynamics, educational attainment, and/or neighborhood characteristics. Our conceptual framework was designed to show how children’s health and well-being should consider exposures to chemical and non-chemical stressors from the built, natural, and social environments, activities (e.g., type and duration of physical activity level and locations) and behaviors (e.g., children’s mouthing frequency), and inherent characteristics at various lifestages throughout the lifecourse (e.g., preconception to old age). Our research approach includes distinct research activities with a recent emphasis on an exposure analysis approach that considers how non-chemical stressor information may be used in combination with chemical exposure data. Our research has shown that both childhood obesity and general cognitive ability are influenced by a myriad of chemical and non-chemical stressors. This presentation will explore our research strategy, show how data and information can be considered within the conceptual framework, and highlight public health examples. Gaining a clearer understanding of combined exposures and their effects will lead to more informed and effective strategies for prevention and mitigation.