Children's Environmental Health Studies (CEHS)

MOHAWK PROJECTS

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. Several papers have been published from this study (go to publications) and numerous reports at scientific conferences have been presented. Data collection fro the study occurred from 1995-2000, and we are now writing up reports for publication and providing feedback to the community.

News Release:

Study: Exposure to PCBs Reduces Thyroid Function in Children

PCBs and Lead Impact Onset of Puberty in Akwesasne Mohawk Girls
Study suggests toxicants may be affecting growth and development of children in the U.S.

Young Adult Well-Being Study (YAWBS)

Our current 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.

Relevant Publications:

2008
Relationship of thyroid hormone levels to levels of  polychlorinated biphenyls, lead p,p’-DDE, and other toxicants in Akwesasne Mohawk youth. Environmental Health Perspectives, L. M. Schell, M.V. Gallo, M. Denham, J. Ravenscroft, A. P. DeCaprio, and D. O. Carpenter. Environmental Health Perspectives 111 (6):806-813.

2007
Selected anthropometric measurements of Akwesasne Mohawk youth: skinfolds, circumferences and breadths. M. V. Gallo, L. M. Schell, Akwesasne Task Force on the Environment. American Journal of Human Biology. 19 (4): 525-536.

Advancing biocultural models by working with communities: A partnership approach. L.M. Schell, J. Ravenscroft, M.V. Gallo, M. Denham.  American Journal of Human Biology. 19 (4): 511-524.

2005:

Relationship of lead, mercury, mirex, DDE, HCB, and PCBs to age at menarche among Akwesasne Mohawk girls. M. Denham, L. M. Schell, Glenn Deane, M. V. Gallo, J. Ravenscroft, A. P. Decaprio, and Akwesasne Task Force on the Environment. Pediatrics 115(2): e125-e134.

2003:

Organochlorines, lead and mercury in Akwesasne Mohawk youth. L. M. Schell, L. A. Hubicki, A. P. DeCaprio, M. V. Gallo, J. Ravenscroft, A. Tarbell, A. Jacobs, D. David, P. Worswick, and Akwesasne Task Force on the Environment. Environmental Health Perspectives, 111 (7): 954-961.

1998:

Commentary: A Partnership Study of PCBs and the Health of Mohawk Youth: Lessons from our Pasts, and Guidelines for our Future. L. M. Schell and A. Tarbell. Environmental Health Perspectives 106 (Suppl 3):833-840.