Investigating the long-term health effects of a chemical exposure in Michigan residents.
The Michigan PBB Cohort: A unique, highly exposed community followed for 50 years and three generations
This study is looking at how exposure to a harmful chemical called PBB has affected the health of people in Michigan over the years, especially for younger generations, and it invites community members to share their experiences and insights to help understand these long-term health effects better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11066455 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on a unique cohort of individuals from Michigan who were exposed to polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), a harmful chemical, during a significant environmental disaster. Over the past 50 years, this cohort has been studied to understand the health impacts of this exposure across generations. The project aims to enhance community engagement and participation, particularly involving younger generations, to explore the long-term effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals on health. Through community meetings and focus groups, researchers will gather valuable data to inform future studies on biological mechanisms and health outcomes related to PBB exposure.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation include individuals from Michigan who were exposed to PBB, particularly those who are part of the original cohort or their descendants.
Not a fit: Patients who were not exposed to PBB or do not have a connection to the Michigan PBB cohort may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide critical insights into the health effects of environmental chemical exposures, potentially leading to improved public health policies and interventions.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research on similar environmental exposures has shown significant health impacts, indicating that this approach is grounded in established findings.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Marcus, Michele — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Marcus, Michele
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 below.