Investigating how early exposure to certain chemicals affects children's bone health
Official title: Early Life Phthalate and Perfluoroalkyl Substance Exposures and Childhood Bone Health
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10872041 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain chemicals found in everyday products might affect children's bone health and growth, helping us understand if these exposures can lead to weaker bones or shorter height as they grow up.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $238,560 |
| NIH project number | 7R01ES030078-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-10872041 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children aged 0-12 years who may have been exposed to phthalates or PFAS.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 12 years or who have not been exposed to these chemicals may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research examines the impact of phthalates and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on bone health in children. It aims to understand how these chemicals, commonly found in various products, may lead to lower bone density and shorter stature during critical growth periods. By utilizing data from a diverse pregnancy cohort study, the research will track children's growth and bone density from birth to age 12, while also measuring vitamin D levels and chemical exposure. The findings could provide insights into how early life exposures influence long-term bone health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and prevention strategies for bone health issues in children, potentially reducing the risk of osteoporosis later in life.
How similar studies have gone: While there is preliminary evidence linking these chemicals to bone health issues, this research is among the first to longitudinally assess their impact on childhood bone density.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Buckley, Jessie P — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Buckley, Jessie P
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.