Project 2:

In Utero Exposure to Polychlorinated Biphenyls, Pesticides, and Metals in Relation to Cognitive Function in Childhood

Project leader: Susan Korrick
Project co-leader: Richard Monson

Background:

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDE and lead are contaminants known to have a negative impact on childhood development and are able to cross from the mother to the fetus during pregnancy. In addition, these contaminants continue to be present in the U.S. environment despite the fact that their use has declined.

DDE is produced during the breakdown of DDT (a well-known and widely used pesticide in times past).

Specific aim:

We want to understand the impact of low-level prenatal exposure to PCBs, DDE, and lead on children's cognition, memory, learning and behavioral development. In addition, we will also study the effect of post-natal lead exposure.

Methods:

We recruited over 750 pairs of mothers and infants to participate in this study. The children are tested at birth, during infancy, and again once they are in school. These participants live adjacent to a PCB-contaminated harbor that is classified as a Superfund site.

We…

• Tested each infant’s umbilical cord blood and mother’s breast milk to evaluate prenatal PCB and DDE exposure
• Tested each infant’s umbilical cord blood to evaluate prenatal lead exposure
• Assessed child development skills (memory, learning, language proficiency, attention, vigilance, general cognition/IQ, behavior)
• Assessed the neighborhoods in which the participants live to determine how close each participant lives to the contaminated harbor

Recent Publications:

• Hauser, R., P. Williams, L. Altshul, S. Korrick, L. Peeples, D. Patterson, W.E. Turner, M. M. Lee, B. Revich, and O. Sergeyev. 2004. Characterization and predictors of serum dioxin levels among adolescent boys in Chapaevsk, Russia. Organohalogen Compounds 66:3245-3251.

• Quintana, P.J.E., R.J. Delfino, S. Korrick, A. Ziogas, F.W. Kutz, E.L. Jones, F. Laden, and E. Garshick. 2004. Adipose tissue levels of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls and risk of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Environ. Health Perspect. 112:854-861.