The Hoffman Program funded eleven Pilot Grants between 2015 and 2019. This modest support gave investigators a chance to carry out preliminary studies with the aim of advancing our understanding of MCS/TILT/DELTA. Most grants explored promising hypotheses on the biological mechanism of chemical sensitization, often by leveraging access to population studies through collaborations with other institutions. Other projects promoted scientific understanding, public awareness, and institutional change to reduce chemical exposures. Find below the summaries of the pilot grants and resulting publications.
Chemical Exposure Studies
Pulmonary Exposure to Aerosolized Cosmetics
Evaluating the effects of inhaled ENPs and nano-enabled products on pulmonary responses to bacterial exposures.
Predicting Chemical Exposures with Silicone Wristbands
Evaluating predictors of chemical exposures in offices world-wide using silicone wristbands.
Maternal Exposures to PFCs and PCBs
Breast milk exosomes and mechanisms of immunotoxicity from perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
Pulmonary Exposure to Zinc
DELTA: Do Repeated Pulmonary Exposures to Zinc Induce Sensitization or Adaptation?
Epigenetic Research
Ribosomal DNA as an Epigenetic Modulator
Ribosomal DNA copy number: a novel epigenetic modulator and platform for analyses of adaptation and sensitization to repeated chemical exposures.
Early Life Pollutants Exposure
Metabolic Diseases Linked to Early Life Pollutant Exposures
Elucidating the role of adipocytokines and insulin-like growth factors in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases linked to early life environmental pollutant exposures.
Environmental Risk Factors for Autism
The association between maternal air pollution exposure and the risk of autism in Israel.
Environmental Health Initiative
Healthy Green Campus Project: Removing flame retardants from furniture
Raising awareness of the link between health and exposure to everyday toxic chemicals.
Airline-related Studies
Air Crew Uniforms
Relationship between health complaints and the introduction of new uniforms in the Flight Attendant Health Cohort, longitudinal occupational cohort.