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Children's Environmental Health Studies
Lawrence Schell, Ph.D., Principal Investigator
We are a group of faculty and graduate students from the Departments of Anthropology (College of Arts & Sciences) and Epidemiology (School of Public Health). Our overriding purpose is to study cultural affects on human health. More particularly, we examine the effects of urban living on human development and the health ramifications of such. Below is a list and synopses of the current research of the group in relation to this project. Additionally, on our Members pages are the individual research interests of University at Albany graduate students working within this context.
Current Projects
Albany/Pittsfield Pilot Study (APPS)
Many communities throughout the US have concerns about the possible effects of pollutants on their citizens. Children are of special concern because they are particularly vulnerable to environmental exposures.
Polychlorinated biphenyls ( PCBs) and lead (Pb) are envionmental pollutants with demonstrated hormone disruption and neurotoxic effects in laboratory studies. There is increasing evidence that these health effects are also found in humans.
In Pittsfield , Massachusetts, some parents and pediatricians are worried about their children’s risk of exposure to PCB and lead. Exposure can occur anywhere in the community, including at home and in the schools. But no-one knows what the levels are in Pittsfield ’s children.
This project is a pilot study that will assess PCB and lead levels in thirty six 9 to 17 year old girls living in Pittsfield, MA. It will provide preliminary data to justify a much larger study of adolescent growth and development in relation to PCB and lead exposure in the Pittsfield community.
Mohawk Adolescent Well-Being Study (MAWBS)
This research has sought to identify the consequences of exposure to PCBs and other toxicants in the environment on the health of children and youth as measured by their physical growth and maturation and by their cognitive/behavioral development.
Young Adult Well-Being Study (YAWBS)
Our new study examines the relationship between the amount of certain types of PCBs in your body and thyroid function, as well as other possible health outcomes of PCBs. We will also examine how some general and cultural activities may affect the amount of PCBs in your body. We hope to use this information to work with the community to identify routes of PCB exposure and identifying which activities do not increase exposure. With a community education program, we may help people at Akwesasne avoid activities that increase exposure to PCBs.
Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities (CEMHD)
CEMDH is a partnership between the State of New York, community groups, hospitals, county health departments, and higher education to develop and implement specific solutions that reduce health disparities in small cities.
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