Recent Studies that Include Questions on Household Exposures

Recent and ongoing studies examining household exposures to chemicals include the following:

The Silent Spring Institute Household Exposure Study

Focus Household exposures to chemicals, specifically 89 endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and mammary carcinogens, in 120 homes on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Participants Women who lived in the same home for at least ten years in the target areas on Cape Cod.
Data Collected Indoor air, household dust, and urine samples. Questionnaires on products used or stored in homes. GIS (geographic information system) data incorporated targeted historic pesticide use into the study.
Unique Perspective For thirty of the chemicals, this was the first measurement done in an indoor environment.
Conducted By Silent Spring Institute.
Summary of the Silent Spring Household Exposures Study.

The Breast Cancer and Environmental Justice Household Exposure Study

Focus Household exposures for endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and communication tools to report results to affected individuals and communities.
Participants Households on Cape Cod, Massachusetts and in Richmond, California.
Data Collected Indoor air and household dust.
Unique Perspective One study goal is to better understand the relationships between indoor measurements and outdoor sources.
Conducted By Silent Spring Institute in collaboration with Communities for a Better Environment and Brown University. This study is in progress.
Information on the study from Silent Spring.

The Sister Study

Focus The interaction of environment and genes on breast cancer.
Participants 50, 000 sisters of women who have had breast cancer.
Data Collected Questionnaires and samples of blood, urine, toenails, and household dust.
Unique Built in sample collection and storage methods to ensure new questions can be studied years in the future.
Conducted By the National Institute of Health and Environmental Sciences. This study is in progress.
Read more about the Sister Study on BCERF's page describing the study.

The Agricultural Health Study

Focus Pesticide use and exposure from 89,658 participants in Iowa and North Carolina.
Participants Farmers and pesticide applicators and their spouses.
Data Collected Questionnaires and a mouth rinse sample (buccal cells).
Unique Perspective The mouth rinse samples are being analyzed to uncover possible connections between genetics, chemical exposure, and disease. The samples may also provide information about chemical exposures.
Sponsored By The National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with collaboration from the University of Iowa and Battelle Centers for Public Health Research and Evaluation.
Read more about the Agricultural Health Study on BCERF's page describing the study.

Find Out More About the Studies

Read more about the studies at their official sites.